For the second year in a row, the RMU women's soccer team will host the quarterfinal round of the Horizon League Championship tournament.

Under the leadership of first-year head coach Michelle Rick, the Colonials won a home playoff game and will face IU Indy on Sunday. (1 p.m. at the AHN Montour Junction Sports Complex) will look to repeat and build on the success of last year's postseason, when everything was new, against what seemed like a wide-open field in the Horizon League.

“A lot of parity in the Horizon League,” Rick said on the Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast last week.

“It’s been 10 years since I was a player in the league. For me as a first-year coach in Division I, this (season) was a really great learning experience for me and my coaching staff to help this program get to the next level and be repeat contenders.”

RMU (5-6-6, 4-3-3 #HLWSOC) is headed to the quarterfinals after a season finale loss to YSU Taylor day He scored the team's only goal off assists from two former WPIAL stars. Haleigh Finale (South Park) And Paloma Swankler (Norwin).

Rick was pleased to see her team become more structured defensively despite losing in the regular season finale Brenna Murray reached the milestone of 200 career saves, including three in Wednesday's game against Youngstown State.

“We have evolved defensively and are particularly proud of the work the defense has done to become much more organized,” Rick explained.

“In the press, the whole team has become more collective and we have become fitter as a team, so in every game we can put pressure on the opponents and put real pressure on them and create chances from that. “But the collective defense was a big one for us Emphasis, the team embraced it and we were rewarded – and our goalkeeper Brenna Murray had an outstanding season which was great for us.”

Last week Murray was awarded the Horizon League Sportsmanship Award for 2024, marking the second consecutive year an RMU player has received this award.

While it was important to defend as a unit, they also had to continue to adjust to the style of play in a league that can be difficult.

“The Horizon League is very physical. There's a lot of heading, which isn't necessarily the type of game we're aiming for, nor what the team was designed for, but with the league heading in that direction we've put a lot of time into it further. Can we as a team be bolder and adapt to the physical element that usually occurs in the Horizon League? I give the team a lot of credit for the players stepping up to the challenge and competing at this level to achieve what we want. ”

final, SwanklerAnd Ava Tretheway Each received All-League Second Team honors.

Swankler led the team with 17 points (six goals, five assists), ranking third in the league, while Finale scored 11 points and Tretheway added a goal and four assists from midfield. Madison Hurst (Hampton) was named to the All-Freshman team and recorded three assists in 16 games with five starts.

“As far as the attack goes, we pushed them to find targets in terms of productivity and locations that are not typical for them. “I focus on the wide game and getting to the end of the serve, as well as the quality of both the serve and the runs of the box,” Rick explained.

RMU fell behind in several games, testing its renewed emphasis on pressing and productivity. They came away with some exciting results, with late goals leading to two ties and last weekend when they beat Wright State by two goals.

Robert Morris' women come out early and stay focused, rallying for a dramatic 2-1 playoff win over Wright St

The Colonials now face their biggest test of the season as the postseason begins – meeting and possibly exceeding conference postseason expectations.

IU Indy (5-10-3, 4-4-2 #HLWSOC) moves into the quarterfinals as the No. 5 seed after a 3-0 loss in the season finale. Forward Caroline Kelley leads the Jaguars with five goals, while junior Emma Frey has 13 points (four goals, five assists) and leads the team in minutes played. Goaltender Ashton Kudlo started all 18 games and recorded three shutouts. Frey, Kudlo and Kelley earned All-League honors, with freshman Keilah Muldrow joining Hurst on the All-Freshman team.

In Sunday's game, the Colonials face a team they want to get their first win against.

Since joining the Horizon League in 2021, RMU is 0-2-2 against IU Indy.

Their last game earlier this season ended in a 1-1 draw, with Swankler equalizing in the 66th minute from a Tretheway corner.

Rick believes their team has been through a lot of ups and downs this year. After testing herself with a tough non-conference schedule and then producing results in conference play, she is positioned to compete in the tournament.

“We want to be repeat offenders. We made it to the conference tournament last year. Now we want to be able to be at the top of the table every year,” explained Rick.

“To achieve that, we want to play in the best possible competition. To increase the level of competition outside of conference, we prepared for what we saw in conference play and the success we were able to achieve.”

NOTES

• The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with commentary from Spencer Witt and Damen McDermott.
• The winner of this quarterfinal advances to the semifinals in Milwaukee where they will face either No. 1 seed Milwaukee or No. 2 seed Northern Kentucky on Thursday, November 7th.

John Krysinsky has been reporting on football and other sports for various publications and media outlets for many years. He is also the author of “Miracle on the Mon,” a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC that chronicles the club and, in particular, the franchise's early years at Highmark Stadium. John has covered sports for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports and Pittsburgh Sports Report, served as a color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup games in the United States together . Krysinsky also served as head men's soccer coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to their first winning seasons and playoff berths (1996–98); North Catholic Boys Head Coach (2007-2008), Shady Side Academy Boys Associate Head Coach (2009-2014).