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Down early, Robert Morris women stay focused and rally for dramatic, playoff clinching 2-1 win over Wright St

Horizon League Women’s Soccer

FINAL: Robert Morris 2, Wright State 1

Match Stats

With just 38 seconds remaining, junior captain Paloma Swankler delivered a clutch goal to propel RMU to a 2-1 victory over Wright State. The win guarantees RMU a spot in the Horizon League playoffs as they improve to 5-5-6 overall and 4-2-3 in conference play.

With the win, RMU clinched a spot in the Horizon League Playoffs for the second consecutive year. They currently sit fourth in the standings with 15 points.

“It was a huge Senior Day result for us in a high-pressure, emotional game,” Michelle Rick, RMU’s first year Head Coach said after the match.

“We went down first but stayed focused, dug deep, and found a way to equalize and ultimately put the game away at the buzzer. I am very proud of the way this team played for each other today.”

HOW IT HAPPENED 

Annika Samborski puts the Raiders on the board in the 37th minute with Olivia Mace on the assist.

RMU produced four shots and five corner kicks in the opening 45 minutes, but couldn’t find the net.

RMU equalized in the 62nd minute when Paloma Swankler (Norwin) crossed the ball from the left side, and Taylor Day tapped it in for her third goal of the season.

The intensity escalated with yellow cards issued to a pair of Upper St Clair alums Caitlin Burger (76′) and Emily Rocco (77′), with another to Haleigh Finale (South Park) in the 88th minute.

In the final seconds, freshman Madison Hurst crossed from the left to find Swankler at the near post, who slotted it home to clinch the 2-1 win.

Junior captain, Swankler, continues to deliver for RMU, scoring her second game-winning goal of the season. With an assist on Day’s goal, Swankler now has six goals and four assists, totaling 16 points—ranking fourth in the Horizon League.

Day netted her third goal of the season and second in back-to-back games.

She now has seven career goals and five assists, showing her offensive prowess as RMU heads toward the playoffs.

RMU WSOC MATCH NOTES 

  • Wright State outshot RMU 13-9, including a 5-4 edge in shots on goal.
  • RMU earned seven corner kicks compared to Wright State’s four. Swankler led RMU with four shots and three on target.
  • Six Colonials—Jillian Marvin, Ava Trethewey, Julia Becerra, Shauna Gamble, Emily Rocco, and Taylor Day—played the full 90 minutes, while goalkeeper Brenna Murray tallied four saves, earning her fifth win.

UP NEXT

RMU wraps up the regular season at home against Youngstown State on Wednesday, October 30, with a 3:00 PM kickoff at the North Athletic Complex.

 

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).

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