Photo courtesy of Robert Morris University / Justin Berl
Jonathan Potter has already completed one season as head coach of the Robert Morris University men’s soccer team and has begun to make his mark on the program.
The Colonials will kick off their 2024 season on Thursday, August 22nd at 4:00 p.m. against Bucknell at the North Athletic Complex. They will look to continue to increase their consistency throughout the season and improve their position in the tough competition of the Horizon League.
Under Potter’s leadership, the Colonials finished the 2023 season with a 5-6-5 overall record and a 3-4-2 Horizon League record, securing seventh place in a highly competitive conference standings and narrowly missing out on a berth in the Horizon League playoffs on the final day of the regular season.
“There have been a lot of changes. New people in a new place. We had a good start but there was a lot of inconsistency towards the end of the season. We’ve grown together as the season has gone on but I give a lot of credit to our guys who are ready to take a step forward,” Potter said recently on the Sounding Off on Soccer podcast.
“We have eight seniors coming back and 20 returning players from that group. They had the mindset that they needed to work and improve, and they were great last spring and preseason. We’re excited about what we accomplished.”
Potter begins his second season and is supported by assistant coaches Abraham Lopez Mendoza and Austin Gorman.
RMU brings back a solid core from last season. Junior midfielder Anass HadranBorn in Morocco, he was the team’s top scorer last year with three goals and four assists.
John Paul Mbuthia, Gabe Norris (Highlands/Steel City FC)And Kai McLoughlin each scored four goals, the most in the team. In goal, Kieran Gorgenyi He started 13 games, secured four wins and made 42 saves.
Last week, Potter announced that Norris is accompanied by Connor HainAnd William Dodzi Afawubo as team captains.
This is the second consecutive season in which all three players have worn the captain’s armband.
Norris, a senior from Natrona Heights, Pa., has been a cornerstone for the Colonials the past three years, appearing in 43 games with 29 starts. Last season, Norris was the team’s second-leading point scorer (9) and contributed four goals and one assist.
“As a local player, I’m very grateful and proud to have been chosen by such a diverse group of guys from all over the world to lead this team,” Norris said. “This team is my family, so I will always have their backs like they have my backs.”
The other local former WPIAL player on the team is sophomore Kyler Miller (Greensburg Central Catholic), who made 13 appearances last season, including one as a starter.
RMU Men’s Soccer Roster (2024)
Hain, a native of North Royalton, Ohio, is expected to return to the lineup for his final season after sitting out 2023 due to injury. During his first two seasons at RMU, Hain played in 33 games with 25 starts, primarily in the midfield, where he recorded four assists.
“It is a great honor to be chosen as captain by such a great group of men,” said Hain. “I am very grateful for the opportunity and am excited to see what the team can accomplish this season.”
Afawubo, who plays as a centre back and defensive midfielder, was a key player for the Colonials last season. Hailing from Accra, Ghana, he played in 28 games with 26 starts and provided two assists.
“It is an incredible honor to be selected as captain of this team,” said Afawubo. “I look forward to leading my teammates and representing our school on and off the field.”
There are seven non-league games scheduled ahead of the Horizon League schedule, kicking off the season at home against Bucknell. The Colonials will also renew their annual friendship with derby rival “Cross-Tahn” Duquesne.
The Robert Morris men’s team is now entering its fifth season as part of the Horizon League. First under the leadership of Potter’s predecessor Jason O’Toole and now under Potter, the Colonials are in the thick of one of the most underrated leagues in Division I men’s soccer.
“It’s great every week. There’s no top team that’s running away with it. It makes every game exciting,” Potter said.
“There’s no team that’s just inferior to you either. On the last day last year, there were 10 teams (in the conference) and four could have won. It’s relentless. The travel, you have to manage the fatigue of the team. You have to do your best every week to get consistent results.”
RMU Men’s Soccer Schedule (click here)
Remarkable …
Bucknell, RMU’s opponent on Thursday, is led by former Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC head coach Dave Brandt. Now in his second season in Lewisburg, Brandt posted a 2-10-4 overall record and a 1-6-2 record in Patriot League play last season.
Their two victories came against Mount St. Mary’s and Lehigh. The Bison welcome seven freshmen and four newcomers to their 2024 squad.
Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast: After a year in the game, RMU men’s coach Jonathan Potter puts his stamp on the program
