MOON TOWNSHIP – Robert Morris (2-2-2) was back home today at the North Athletic Complex for a cross-town rivalry game as they would take on the Duquesne Dukes (4-1-1). Coming off of a loss and a win Robert Morris was looking to get back to winning ways and what better way to do that by taking down a rival.
Duquesne entered the game undefeated, drawing with #23 Notre Dame last week and ranked #18 in the Top Drawer Soccer Poll
RMU would walk away with the win in this matchup by a final score of 3-0. This win for the Colonials would be their first over the Dukes in nine years, with RMU’s last win against the Dukes was in 2015. This win also snaps a five game losing streak against Duquesne.
“Great win for the program, one of the polls had them in the top 25 this past week, a tough opponent and obviously a local rivalry. Really happy for our team and happy we are finding a good way of playing as we head deeper into conference play,” Head Coach Jonathan Potter said.
This game would start like how a rivalry should, physical from the first whistle. Duquesne would actually score first but the goal would get ruled back for an offsides call.
The game would remain scoreless until the second half and the half was dominated by the Colonials. In the 67th minute, to get the opening goal of this match, Tim Koczulap would get the scoring going for RMU as he had a 30 yard screamer from outside the box. John Paul Mbuthia and Logan Gilley would tally up the assists on the first goal.
After the first goal went in, you could see the hunger in the eyes of the Colonials to not sit back, they would go for it and add another two goals scoring just 29 seconds apart. The second goal would come from Logan Gilley’s assisted by Tim Koczulap’s beautiful cross.
And 29 seconds later, RMU would get the dagger, Kosi Udeh would score his first of the season to make the score 3-0.
“We just went in there (locker room) and kept supporting them and telling them to keep doing what we are doing to end the first half. We tweaked a couple of minor things but a big performance like that comes down to the people who are out there playing.”
Counter attacking was key for RMU. As soon as they would hit the open field, the Colonials would turn with speed and get number forward. Decision making however was lacking in the final third early on.
Head Coach Jonathan Potter has some thoughts on his team’s ability to hit the open field and run with the counterattack.
“I think the team is more aggressive when we defend, I think we are defending higher and our attacking players are defending much better and much more aggressive, so it is creating more transition moments for those guys.”
Robert Morris will be back in action this Saturday as they travel to Indianapolis to take on IU Indy in a Horizon League Matchup with Kickoff set for 3 p.m.
