Living on the Edge: Late Center-Back Connection Lifts RMU over Canisius for First Win

If the early stages of the 2026 campaign are any indication, Jonathan Potter’s Robert Morris Colonials don’t mind playing down to the wire.

Three days after suffering an 88th-minute opening loss, RMU returned the favor—getting an 88th-minute game-winner from defender Callum Doyle-Travers to earn a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Canisius in a match held-up by weather delays at the Demske Sports Complex on Sunday.

The win moves the Colonials to 1W-1L-0D on the young season, anchored by a late defender-to-defender setup and a clean sheet from senior goalkeeper Josh Lane.

How It Happened

Both sides struggled to build central fluidity in a cagey opening 45 minutes, registering just one shot on goal apiece.

The match became a test of mental concentration in the second half as mother nature intervened with back-to-back lightning delays in the 66th and 71st minutes.

RMU handled the stops effectively, re-emerging with higher vertical line engagement and tilting the territorial battle. The Colonials generated three second-half shots and earned a 7-3 corner kick edge to keep the Golden Griffins pinned in their own defensive third.

With 14 minutes remaining following the final restart, RMU’s set-piece pressure finally unlocked the Canisius low block.

In the 88th minute, a Colonial corner kick was cleared to the perimeter, where Matthew Eckersall recycled the possession back into the 18-yard box.

Junior center back and captain Miguel Dominguez flicked a header toward fellow center back Doyle-Travers, who settled the ball with a slick touch and buried a low finish into the bottom-right corner past Canisius goalkeeper Preston Harold.

The sequence gave Dominguez his first career collegiate assist and marked Doyle-Travers’ first career goal in an RMU uniform. The Colonials locked down the back five over the final three minutes, suffocating the hosts to secure the clean sheet.

Inside the Box Score

• By the Numbers: RMU outshot Canisius 9-5 (6-2 in the second half) and held a 7-3 corner kick advantage.

• Shutout Milestone: Senior captain Josh Lane recorded his 13th career shutout and 17th career victory in net.

• Full-90 Workhorses: Four Colonials logged all 90 minutes: Giovanni Dennis, Abdul Kamara, Riley Cotton, and Callum Doyle-Travers.

• Colonial Debut: Redshirt sophomore Filip Jeppesen made his RMU debut off the bench, logging 29 minutes in midfield.

UP NEXT

RMU returns home to host Waynesburg on Thursday, August 27 at 1:00 PM at the North Athletic Complex (ESPN+).

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