Teaneck, N.J. – Needing every victory it can get to remain in Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament contention, the Robert Morris University women's soccer team earned its third straight 1-0 win, defeating Fairleigh Dickinson University this afternoon with a goal in the 76th minute by Erin Ritzer.
In a rematch of last year's NEC Championship Game, Robert Morris (5-11, 3-3 NEC) moved to an even mark in conference play against a Fairleigh Dickinson (5-10-1, 3-1-1 NEC) side that entered today unbeaten in the NEC. The Knights' urgency increased tenfold after the goal as they attempted five shots and two corner kicks in the final 15 minutes, but the Colonial defense stood tall and managed to come away with the clean sheet.
The game began at a slow pace with both teams finding a lack of success on the attack. The match's first shot came in the 12th minute courtesy of RMU's Maleha Kureishy, but it was gloved by FDU goalkeeper Amanda Fitzgerald.
Kasia Bak, last Sunday's hero at Mount St. Mary's, tried her luck against Fitzgerald four minutes later, but was denied. The Knights then tested Makenzie Shearson in the 23rd minute, forcing the graduate student into the first of her six saves on the afternoon.
Neither team seemed to gain a much of an advantage throughout the first half, as shots on goal slightly favored the visitors, 4-3, while the hosts held a 7-4 edge in attempts. FDU began to press early in the second frame with five off-target chances over the course of 10 minutes, but Ritzer provided the half's first attempt on net in the 58th minute.
After two more shots from the Knights missed their mark, the momentum began to shift in favor of the Colonials. A pair of RMU attacks were halted due to offside calls, followed by an Antonia Grese strike in the box that was gloved by Fitzgerald. The visitors then opted to make some substitutions in hopes of keeping the pressure on, with Greer Monahan and Shannon Reagan returning to the pitch.
With fresh legs on, the Colonials grabbed the goal they were searching for in the 76th minute. The ball would find the feet of Monahan, who then ripped a cross in towards Ritzer. The senior midfielder met the pass in the air, heading it home at the back post for her first goal of the season.
Reagan then gave it a go just minutes following Ritzer's strike, forcing Fitzgerald into her sixth save of the contest. The tide turned after as FDU began its pursuit of an equalizer and earned a quality chance in the 85th minute. Jessi Reinhardt wheeled in a dangerous corner kick, with Jackson Bennett eventually finding the ball. She aimed towards the far post and seemed to have the right spot picked out; however, Monahan was toeing the line and managed to clear it away.
Bennett tried again two minutes later, ripping a long shot that Shearson pulled down. She had a third chance at goal off another corner, but her volley flew wide of the netting.
With 23 seconds remaining, Shearson gloved Reinhardt's last-ditch effort, preserving both the victory and her fourth shutout of the season.
Robert Morris returns home for a pair of matches to close the regular season. The Colonials take on Wagner on Friday, Oct. 28 at 2:00 p.m. before welcoming league-leading Central Connecticut on Sunday, Oct. 30 at noon for Senior Day.
