After tying the Duquesne Dukes 2-2 on September 16, the Colonials finished the first half of the 2011 season with six victories, which is the best non-conference record of any RMU women’s soccer team since the program’s inception in 1992.
Senior midfielder Lauren Thomas is proud to be a member of the first Robert Morris team to achieve this milestone. “It felt great to finish the midway point of the season on a high note because it’s something we’ve never done before.”
“ It makes going into conference play easier mentally because we know we can play well enough to complete against the top teams and we want to finish the second half of the season just as strong,” explained Thomas.
It was Thomas’ second goal of the season in the 81st minute that tied the contest for the Colonials and sent the game into overtime against the cross-town rival.
“Brittany Rowe gave me a pass that split the two Duquesne defenders and I was able to find the back of the net,” explained the native of Wheeling, West Virginia. “We have always wanted to beat Duquesne but a tie is just as good.”
“Rachel and Darla Sebbenns, Brianna Bell, Jess Sharik and I have all been playing together on various club teams since we were 12 years old,” recalled Thomas. “There are two girls from Duquesne who played with us growing up. It’s a little rivalry we have going with them.”
The Robert Morris women’s soccer team has never made an appearance in the Northeast Conference tournament during the club’s 19 year existence and forward Ayana Davis is hoping that the 2011 Colonial squad can make history.
“I want to do anything to help us make it to the playoffs and let alone win the NECs, but at the same time I can’t do it without my team,” declared Davis. “We are more than dedicated this year to take it all the way.”
The Colonials started the preseason a little earlier this year but according to Thomas, it was well worth it. “Before this year we always had a decent first half but never like this. We have a desire to go all the way so bad and it’s never really been like this before. All of our hard work is finally paying off.”
