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Hat Trick Chase: Robert Morris rolls to 5-0 victory at Milwaukee

Behind an offensive explosion and a hat trick from junior Chase Gilley, the Robert Morris University men’s soccer team captured a 5-0 shutout victory at Milwaukee in Horizon League action on Saturday afternoon.

With the win, Robert Morris improves to 2-3-0 overall, behind a 2-0-0 record in conference play. Meanwhile, the Panthers fall to 1-4-2 this season, with a 0-1-0 record in league play. The Colonials extend their win streak while also knocking off Milwaukee for the first time in program history.

“Really pleased for Chase to get three goals. He is a goal scorer and has been doing a lot of good things,” head coach Jason O’Keefe said. ” It takes a team to score goals and that was the case today as he got to the right spots and his teammates delivered for him.”

Gilley records his first career hat trick, while becoming the second Colonial in the last two years to score three goals in a game, joining teammate Bryan Akongo. Robert Morris recorded the most goals since 2019, when they captured a 5-1 win over Sacred Heart. The Colonials scored three goals in a span of five minutes, two of them coming from Gilley. Sophomore goalkeeper Friedrich Petrelli registered his first shutout of the season.

Robert Morris wasted no time getting on the board as the Colonials took an early 1-0 lead at the 4:30-mark. Junior Hugo Kadima delivered a pass to sophomore Connor Hain who punched a cross into the box, that saw Gilley put a header past the left side of the goalkeeper. After a foul by Milwaukee, sophomore Charlie Lawrence put a pass to the far-right post off a free kick, that found the head of junior Kelvin Ramirez, to extend the Robert Morris lead 2-0.

In the 10′ Kadima recorded a steal and sent a pass to Gilley, who beat the keeper to the left for his second goal of the half and extended the Colonial lead, 3-0. At 23:23, sophomore Gabe Norris put a pass across midfield that found freshman Anass Hadran, who sent a ball to Gilley to cap off his hat-trick by finding the top left corner of the net on a one-on-one opportunity. Freshman Alex Lorigny closed the scoring burst in the 43′ when he beat the keeper the right side of the net on a tap-in and stretched the Robert Morris lead, 5-0. Junior Darren Gray and freshman Shane McMillan were credited with the assist.

“Really pleased with the guys focus and determination today. Goals change games and to get some early did just that,” O’Keefe said. “The team has been working extremely hard and have been close to executing throughout the early season so I was happy for them to get rewarded today.”

SCORING PLAYS
4:30 – Gilley, Assist: Kadima
5:50 – Ramirez, Assist: Lawrence
9:31 – Gilley, Assists: Kadima
23:23 – Gilley, Assists: Hadran, Norris
42:06 – Lorigny, Assists: McMillan, Gray

QUICK HITS
RMU recorded most goals since 2019 … Gilley captured first career hat-trick … Lorigny tallies his first career goal … Ramirez registered second goal of the season … Kadima records first two assists of the season … Friedrich tallied four saves … Milwaukee finished with an 18-14 shot advantage, while RMU held an 8-4 edge in shots on goal … The Panthers finished with a 9-3 lead in corner kicks.

NEXT
Robert Morris returns to action on Wednesday, September 21, when it hosts Saint Francis for a non-conference match, beginning 2:00 p.m.

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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