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FINAL: Robert Morris 1, Oakland 0 (Robert Morris wins Horizon League Men’s Soccer Championship)

Photo courtesy Robert Morris Athletics

HORIZON LEAGUE MEN’s SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

FINAL — Robert Morris 1, Oakland 0 

Match Stats 

Instant Match Summary

The Colonials hung on for a gutsy 1-0 win on the road against the No. 1 seed Oakland — winning its first conference tournament since 2005 (NEC) and first-ever Horizon League title.

The win also earns RMU its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2005.

“It’s incredible,” Jonathan Potter said after the match.

“We feel this is a stage where we belong.  So excited to keep it going.”

It was Victor Thompson who scored the match’s lone goal, a terrific strike from outside the box early in the first half to take a critical early lead in the 9th minute.

The Colonials, picked to finish seventh in the Horizon League in the preseason, hung on as the match intensified, even after Oakland was forced to play down a man for most of the 2nd half.

“Oakland gave us all we could handle in open play and in set pieces,” Jonathan Potter, Robert Morris’ Head Coach, said.

“Got to credit the guys, they kept fighting to the end. It was a great defensive performance.”

As the team celebrated the win on the field, Thompson was pulled over for post match interview, where the native of Cayman Islands credited his teammates and Potter for bringing him to Robert Morris, as a junior transfer who previously played at Tulsa.

The squad experienced some growing pains early in the season, but on this special day in Michigan, those are in the rearview mirror.

“We didn’t pay much attention. Kept working hard, (we had) a rough start,” Thompson said after the match when asked about being overlooked in preseason and overcoming early season bumps, but finishing on top of the league in the end.

“Here we are now.”

The Colonials now wait to find out where they’ll be placed in the NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament — with brackets coming out Monday and first round matches starting on Thursday.

Thompson loves his team’s prospects.

“We’ll have to wait and see,” Thompson said.

“We have a strong team. Lot of good lads. We have more to do!”

Look for more to come including reaction from Head Coach Jonathan Potter and more.

FINAL SCORE — RMU 1, OAKLAND 0 — ROBERT MORRIS WINS HORIZON LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

The Colonials hang on for a gutsy 1-0 win on the road against the No. 1 seed Oakland — winning its first conference tournament since 2005 (NEC) and first-ever Horizon League title.  The win also earns RMU its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2005.

86′ — Consecutive corners for Oakland — but RMU pack box — and only shot chance goes well over the bar!

77′ — Oakland’s Harry Phantis working to get into box — is pushed down just inside but after he loses possession of the ball so referee lets them play on.  Fans in Oakland didn’t like that.

76′ — Individual effort by RMU’s Victor Koah — shot on frame that is pretty easily handled by Alex Flowers.

68′ —  Chase Gilley makes a nice diagonal run across box — played ball to right of goal and tough angle shot defected for corner.

49′ — Despite being down a man, Oakland with a couple good chances — but RMU’s Josh Lane makes a pair of quality saves including this one in the 47th minute.

47′ — RED CARD — OAKLAND

Oakland’s Andrew Darakdjian is sent off.

HALFTIME — ROBERT MORRIS 1, OAKLAND 0

First half stats:   RMU/OAK

Shots
 6 9
Saves
 3 5
Fouls
 5 4
Corners
 1 6
Offsides
 1 2
OnGoal
 6 3

 

33′ — SAVE!!  RMU’s Josh Lane dives to his left to make a great stop.

21′ — RMU knocking on the door again…

But Oakland’s keeper Alex Flowers is there for save.

20′ — Three consecutive corner attempts by Oakland.  RMU dug in well behind the ball, defended well, but have to be careful not to keep giving corners away.

6′ — GOAL !!! Robert Morris takes the early lead on fantastic, bending strike from Victor Thompson.

 

Robert Morris Starters…

Image

 

PSN Robert Morris MSOC Coverage

Horizon League Championship Match (Men’s Soccer)

RMU vs Oakland

Saturday, November 16, at 1:00 PM

Oakland Soccer Complex, Rochester, MI

Robert Morris men’s soccer sees lead, first place slip away in second half at Oakland

Chase Gilley’s strike pushes Robert Morris past Milwaukee to earn first-ever trip to Horizon League Final

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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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