Early penalty, red card stifle RMU in season-opening loss at Navy

Building a new identity takes time, and on Wednesday afternoon at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility, the Robert Morris Women’s Soccer team experienced both the promise and the harsh lessons of opening day in a 4-0 loss to Navy.

In a match defined by critical decision points and physical margins, head coach Michelle Rick’s squad battled through early nerves before a pair of decisive second-half moments turned the tide firmly in favor of the Midshipmen.

Navy set the tempo early, drawing first blood in the 18th minute when Jessica Black converted a penalty kick into the bottom-right corner.

Despite Navy pressing high and controlling long stretches of possession—including a strike that rattled the woodwork—RMU’s backline anchored by Shauna Gamble and freshman Addison Orehowsky (both playing all 90 minutes) limited the damage to keep the Colonials within striking distance at halftime down 1-0.

RMU produced its finest moment of fluid, transition play moments after the restart. Transfer forward Madison Sievering slipped past the Navy defense on a clean breakaway, but her 1-on-1 effort was denied by the Navy keeper—a sequence that could have flipped the match on its head.

Instead, momentum shifted dramatically in Navy’s favor minutes later. After doubling their lead, the Midshipmen caught RMU on the back foot as the Colonials were shown a straight red card, forcing RMU to play the final half-hour with 10 players.

Navy seized the advantage immediately, turning a free-kick rebound into a third goal before Clara Jane Williams added a late header with 20 seconds remaining to seal the 4-0 line.

The match served as a baptism by fire for an revamped RMU roster. Five transfers—Sievering, Fiona Fraser, Alyssa Mella, Sierra Hess, and Sophia Cucchetti—made their Colonial debuts as starters, while freshmen Orehowsky, Samyah Costa, and goalkeeper Kally Prescott made their collegiate debuts. Prescott held up well under heavy pressure in relief, turning aside three shots in her 33 minutes between the posts.

Inside the Box Score

• Shots: Navy held a 14-3 advantage overall (7-1 on goal).

• Corners: Navy edge, 3-2.

• Fouls: RMU 10, Navy 9.

• Ironwomen: Shauna Gamble and freshman Addison Orehowsky went the distance (90 mins).

Up Next

The Colonials (0-1-0) complete their opening week road swing on Sunday, August 16, traveling to face Bowling Green. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM ET.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now