Robert Morris close out non-conference slate remaining unbeaten with ‘tough’ 1-1 draw at Le Moyne

From Robert Morris University Athletics Department Report

Robert Morris women’s soccer team ended the game at Le Moyne with a 1-1 tie. The Colonials are now 6-0-2 overall this season and the Dolphins move to 1-3-2.

“It was a tough result today. Le Moyne was very organized and well coached and they made things difficult for us,” Chris Shaw, Robert Morris’ Head Coach said after the match. “Nevertheless, we created enough chances to win the game, but the ball didn’t bounce our way today. We’re happy to finish non-conference play undefeated, but now the important part of the season is upon us.”

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Early on, the game went back-and-forth as both team’s created chances from the start. Within the first 20 minutes, RMU received three corner kick chances and recorded one shot. Le Moyne earned two corner kicks and posted four shots.

Emily Rocco made one of the biggest saves of the game for the Colonials. In the 20^th minute, the Dolphins had a corner kick from the left side. They crossed it in and Sofia Sanzo blasted a shot towards the right side of the goal, but Rocco executed her back-post duties, clearing the ball off the goal line, keeping the game tied.

Heading the other way, the Colonials were possessing the ball in the final third. The ball came to Haleigh Finale and the Dolphins back line of defense approached. Thinking quickly, Mohrbacher moved to the side and Finale flipped a pass over the defense. Mohrbacher ran onto it, took a touch and slotted one past the goalkeeper.

Ahead 1-0, RMU got into a groove. For the remainder of the half, they only gave up one attempted shot to Le Moyne.

The Colonials peppered two more shots in the first half. One of their best chances came in the 40^th minute off a counterattack. Paloma Swankler found Lidia Nduka in on a breakaway, but as Nduka took a touch to then take a shot, Le Moyne’s goalkeeper Allison Moreau swiped the ball from her feet.

Moving onto the second half, Le Moyne struck early. Off a foul in RMU’s box, the Dolphins were awarded a penalty kick in the 51^st minute. Jasmina Barhoumi took the shot, finishing it for her first goal of the season.

Looking to get back in front, the Colonials went to goal as much as they could, pushing numbers forward and creating several chances.

In the 58^th minute, Malia Kearns found Nduka, but the play was called offside. Moments later, Kaoru Hayashi found Nduka through some defenders. Nduka then rifled a shot on goal that was saved.

Keeping up the pressure, in the 63^rd minute, Mohrbacher had a quality chance near goal, but another stop was made for the Dolphins. Three more minutes passed and the freshman Shauna Gamble jumped high, trying to head in a cross that was saved again.

Over the next 27 minutes, RMU popped off seven more shots and earned three corner kicks. With chance after chance, the Colonials just couldn’t find that second goal. Settling for a tie, the game ended 1-1.

SCORING PLAYS
21′ – Goal: Renae Mohrbacher (5), Assisted by: Haleigh Finale (4)
51′ – Goal: Jasmina Barhoumi (1, PK)

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Only one goal was scored for the Colonials but the chances were there. They outshot the Dolphins 14-10. With shots on goal, RMU posted eight and Le Moyne only had four. In the second half, the Colonials began to control the pace of play substantially. They finished the game with the edge in possession, owning the ball 57% of the time. RMU also spent more time in the final third, earning eight corner kicks compared to Le Moyne’s four.

ROAD WARRIORS
Through the 2023 campaign, RMU has only played two home games and six on the road. In those six road games, the Colonials are outscoring their opponents now 15-2, winning five and earning one tie. The only two goals they’ve given up outside of the North Athletic Complex both times have been off penalty kicks. Brenna Murray in net has yet to give up a goal on the road, not from the penalty spot. Senior Haleigh Finale on the road holds one goal and four helpers.

UP NEXT
Conference play starts up next week for the Colonials. RMU’s first Horizon League competition will be on the road at Purdue Fort Wayne, on Thursday, September 14 at 7:00 p.m.