Robert Morris tops Le Moyne 5-0 in season opener to earn HC Michelle Rick win in debut

Photo courtesy Robert Morris University Athletics

RMU women’s soccer team opened their 2024 season in dominant fashion, delivering a 5-0 victory over Le Moyne.

The win marks Head Coach Michelle Rick’s first career victory with the Colonials, highlighted by a standout performance from junior Emerson Johngarlo, who netted two goals.

“Today was a great way to celebrate the start of a new season,” said Rick. “Having four different goal scorers, netting five goals, and scoring three off set pieces shows we’re already clicking as a team.”

RMU controlled the tempo early, maintaining high rate of possession (57%) in the first half and held 6-2 shots advantage in the first 45 minutes.

After multiple chances, RMU finally broke through with two goals late in the first half.

In the 43rd minute when sophomore Ava Trethewey delivered a corner kick into the six-yard box, where Johngarlo headed it home.  Then, just before the whistle, junior Malia Kearns (Penn-Trafford) doubled the lead with a goal from outside the box off a free-kick, leaving the score 2-0 at halftime.

Malia Kearns off the free kick 👀 pic.twitter.com/7mKcI2xbRK

— RMU Women's Soccer (@RMUWSoccer) August 18, 2024

RMU wasted no time in the second half, scoring just two minutes in. Kearns crossed the ball into the box, and Paloma Swankler (Norwin) finished it for her first goal of the season.

Johngarlo added her second goal of the game later, finishing off a corner kick delivered by Julia Becerra and assisted by freshman Madison Hurst (Hampton).

In the 80th minute, Joey Tomlinson rounded out the scoring, tapping in a cross from Haleigh Finale (South Park). Hurst notched her second assist of the match on the play.

The Colonials outshot the Dolphins 15-6, with six corner-kick opportunities to Le Moyne’s four. Defensively, graduate student goalkeeper Brenna Murray made two saves to earn her first clean sheet of the season.

“From day one, it’s been about the process for us,” Rick added.

“We’re taking steps every day toward becoming the best version of ourselves, and today was a huge testament to that.”

COLONIAL FIRSTS

• Apollo, Pa. native Emerson Johngarlo celebrated her first career goal and game-winner, finishing the match with two goals.
• Freshman Madison Hurst made her collegiate debut memorable, providing two assists.
• Ava Trethewey, playing her first game as a Colonial, recorded her first assist, while Perkasie, Pa. native Joey Tomlinson netted her first career goal.

UP NEXT 
RMU will hit the road for their first away match of the season, facing Southern Indiana on Thursday, August 22 at 8:00 PM.