Duquesne, Robert Morris Cross-Tahn Derby back-and-forth battle ends in 2-2 draw

Photo courtesy Robert Morris Athletics

In a back-and-forth battle Duquesne and Robert Morris men’s soccer teams slugged it out, but when the final whistle blew, two of Pittsburgh’s prominent Division I men’s programs ended in a 2-2 draw at Rooney Field on Sunday evening.

Three of the four total goals came off set piece plays, including two free kicks. Robert Morris charged out to a two-goal lead in the first half, with goals from Jack Bejarano and Royie Rahamim. Then Duquesne roared back with a goal late in the first half (a free kick banger from Dakota Jonke), then finding the equalizer from Roni Badler in the second half.

The coaches came away from the match with some valuable lessons learned, while their players had a chance to step into an intense battle with a big game feel, early in the season.

“You can’t d0 what we did. Spot a team two goals, especially off set pieces,” Chase Brooks, Duquesne Head Coach, said to Pittsburgh Soccer Now‘s Zac Weiss after the match.

“It was good that we got the goal before the half.  It gave us momentum.  From there, it gave us what we needed. We definitely turned things on in the second half.”

(Please note — look for a more detailed article with reaction from both coaches and Duquesne’s Jaxin Ervin on Monday from Zac Weiss)

How It Happened

FIRST HALF

Duquesne started the game with two early corner kicks, but the RMU defense held firm. The Colonials then settled in, pressing the Dukes’ backline and controlling more of the possession.

RMU continued to keep pressing, eventually breaking the scoreless tie in the 25th minute on a long throw-in from William Dodzi Afawubo. Victor Thompson flicked a header to the back post where Jack Bejarano was positioned to tap it in, giving the Colonials a 1-0 lead.

Just five minutes later, RMU extended its lead.

After a foul on Duquesne’s Ofek Sasson just outside the box, Anass Hadran took the free kick, which hit the woodwork. Freshman Royie Rahamim followed through on the rebound, heading the ball into the net for his first career goal and a quick 2-0 lead for the Colonials.

The Dukes responded just four minutes later, with Dakota Jonke scoring on a free kick to cut the RMU lead to 2-1 before halftime.

SECOND HALF

Duquesne controlled the second half, outshooting RMU 7-1 through the first 30 minutes.

The Dukes finally found their equalizer with 10 minutes remaining in the match.

Roni Badler scored the tying goal off a one-touch finish from a pass from the left wing, finding the back of the net to make it 2-2.

Balder’s goal was uplifting for his teammates and his coach too.

“Those are the moments you want in soccer, or in any sport,” Brooks said.

“(Badler) is coming off of two years of barely playing due to injury and ends up with the game-tying goal. That was an awesome moment. The assist comes from a guy that hasn’t seen the field in a while, as well, so it was really nice to have those two connect for that goal.”

As the match closed out ending a 2-2 deadlock, the all-time series remains in Duquesne’s favor, 19-7-4 (.700) as they protected their home turf again, as it’s been a long time since the Dukes lost to the Colonials at Rooney Field (1998).

Robert Morris will next play on Monday, September 1, as they’ll have a week to recuperate, while Duquesne opens a three-game road trip Saturday, August 30, with a 1:00 p.m. match at Canisius. The Dukes will also visit Syracuse (Sept. 5) and Mount St. Mary’s (Sept. 9) during their swing.