OLEAN, N.Y. – Led by a brace from
Anelson Azard in the first half, the RMU men's soccer team defeated St. Bonaventure, 2-0, Thursday night. With the victory, the Colonials improve to 3-1-1 overall and remain undefeated in their last four matches.
FIRST HALF
Azard was knocking on the door early, recording two shots in the opening 10 minutes and foreshadowing the excellent game he was about to have.
In the 19th minute, a cross into the box created a scramble with several Colonials battling for possession. Azard ultimately found the back of the net, giving RMU an early 1-0 lead.
Following the goal, senior goalkeeper and captain
Josh Lane made two crucial saves to keep the Bonnies off the scoreboard.
In the 38th minute, Azard struck again. Working down the right wing,
Filip Jeppesen delivered a perfect cross into the box, where Azard redirected the ball into the net to double the lead.
Before the half ended, St. Bonaventure's top goal scorer from a season ago, Kyle Macfarlane, hammered a shot from distance off the crossbar, nearly cutting into the deficit. RMU carried a 2-0 advantage into halftime.
SECOND HALF
Physical play was the theme throughout the second half as several yellow cards were issued.
In the 54th minute, St. Bonaventure's Jack Steel was issued a red card, forcing the Bonnies to play a man down for the remainder of the match.
Later in the half,
Tayshaun Reid came close to extending the Colonial lead, but his header hit the post.
Matthew Eckersall nearly found the back of the net in the final seconds, but his shot rang off the crossbar.
RMU ultimately held on for the 2-0 victory after 90 minutes of action.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- RMU outshot St. Bonaventure, 12-9, including a 4-2 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Bonnies held an 8-5 advantage in corner kicks.
- Both teams were called for 12 fouls. St. Bonaventure received six yellow cards and one red card, while RMU was issued three yellow cards.
- Abdul Kamara was the only Colonial to play all 90 minutes.
- This marks the second time under head coach Jonathan Potter that RMU has won three of its opening five matches. The last time the Colonials accomplished the feat was in 2023.
SHUTOUT
Leicester, England, native
Josh Lane earned his 19th career victory Thursday night and his 14th career shutout. The senior made two saves and now has 134 career saves while owning a .713 career save percentage.
COLONIAL FIRST
Redshirt sophomore
Filip Jeppesen earned his first start for the Colonials Thursday and recorded his first career assist for RMU on Azard's second goal. Jeppesen now has one goal and three assists in his career. Through four games in 2026, he has logged 209 minutes on the pitch.
BRACE
In just his third game with RMU, junior forward
Anelson Azard scored his first two goals as a Colonial. The brace also marked his first game-winning goal for RMU and the sixth of his career. The Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, native now has 19 career goals.
UP NEXT
RMU will begin Horizon League play next week, traveling to Detroit Mercy on Wednesday, September 9, for a 3:00 PM kickoff.
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