BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – Four Robert Morris goals during the first 25 minutes of action proved to be too much for the Long Island University women's soccer team to overcome on Senior Day as the Sharks fell to the Colonials by a 4-2 margin.
The Sharks honored its four graduating members prior to kickoff, saluting
Shakila Sevanan,
Veronica Saager,
Julia Duffy, and
Gabrielle Clark for their outstanding careers.
Duffy had a Senior Day to remember for LIU, finding the back of the net twice and leading LIU with five shot attempts and four shots on goal. Sophomore
Amanda Hjelle and freshman Navaeh Rascon tallied assists, with Rascon's helper coming as the first point of her collegiate career.
It took just 70 seconds for the Colonials to take the lead when Devan Noll tapped in a flicked-on ball by Colleen Sullivan. Two minutes later, Brittany O'Connell potted a shot in the lower right corner of the frame on a through ball from Sheridan Reid, giving Robert Morris an early 2-0 advantage.
The early-game scoring continued when Duffy scored her first goal of the day during the sixth minute as Rascon sent a long free kick towards the penalty area, and Hjelle headed it onwards where Duffy settled and shot a low attempt inside the right post to cut the deficit in half. The Colonials responded, however, scoring two more goals before the halftime break off the feet of Reid and Noll, taking a 4-1 edge into the intermission.
Less than three minutes into the second half, Duffy chested down a ball at the top of the penalty area and made a beautiful move around a defender before burying a shot near the penalty spot to bring the Sharks within two goals. LIU threatened late, seemingly making it a one-goal game before sophomore
Kendra Oldroyd's goal was disallowed following a hand ball call, and a shot from outside the penalty area by sophomore
Sarah Borer was turned aside by an outstanding diving stop by Colonial goalkeeper Sydney Bruckner.
The Sharks return to the pitch on Friday, Oct. 11 when they travel to Emmitsburg, Md. for a Northeast Conference battle with Mount St. Mary's University beginning at 3:00 p.m.
