MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – In a match filled with momentum swings, the RMU men's soccer team battled Northern Kentucky to a 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon at the North Athletic Complex. With the result, the Colonials move to 3-1-3 overall and 1-0-1 in Horizon League play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
RMU opened the game on the front foot, registering three shots in the opening 11 minutes, but it was the Norse who struck first.
 
In the 17th minute, a long throw-in led to a scramble inside the box, where Bennett Gerak was able to finish at the back post to give NKU a 1-0 advantage. The visitors nearly doubled their lead minutes later when a shot clipped the left post.
 
The Colonials grew into the match late in the half, holding more possession and pressure. Their persistence paid off in the final seconds before halftime.
 
Off a throw-in near the corner flag, defender Jaxson Lee launched a ball into the box, where junior Kyler Miller tapped it in, scoring his second goal of the year with just three seconds left to send the teams into the break tied, 1-1.
 
The second half saw physicality increase immediately, with five yellow cards handed out in the opening eight minutes.
 
RMU then earned a penalty kick in the 56th minute when Jack Bejarano was fouled inside the box, but the NKU goalkeeper denied both the initial strike and rebound attempt from Anass Hadran to keep the score level.
 
Just three minutes later, the Colonials broke through. Bejarano slipped the ball to freshman Royie Rahamim, who laid it off for Victor Koah. The senior midfielder delivered a curling shot from distance into the right-side netting, securing his first career goal and a 2-1 RMU lead.
 
NKU answered in the 69th minute when the Colonials were whistled for a handball inside the box. Ali Taleb converted the penalty to equalize at 2-2.
 
From there, RMU controlled much of the play, outshooting the Norse 7-1 over the final 20 minutes. The Colonials came closest on a curling effort from Kosi Udeh that narrowly cleared the crossbar, but the game ultimately ended in a draw.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
The Colonials generated the majority of chances, outshooting NKU 20-7 overall and 8-4 on target. RMU also earned six corner kicks to the Norse's one and held a slight edge in possession at 52 percent. Northern Kentucky was shown six yellow cards compared to three for RMU in what proved to be a highly physical contest.
 
In goal, Josh Lane made two saves for the Colonials. Four players — Fabian Overkamp, Lee, Kevin Gorbell, and Koah — played the full 90 minutes.
 
POINT STREAKS
Lee extended his point streak to three straight matches, recording a goal and three assists in that span. Bejarano also stretched his assist streak to three consecutive games, while Rahamim has now recorded a point in two straight, contributing one goal and two assists.
 
UP NEXT
RMU hits the road next weekend for a Horizon League matchup at Purdue Fort Wayne. Kickoff is set for Saturday, September 27, at 4:00 p.m.
 
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