Moon Township, Pa. – The
Robert Morris University men's lacrosse team, under the direction of fourth-year head coach
Andrew McMinn, has announced its 2015 schedule this afternoon.
The 14-game slate spanning from early February to late April includes four midweek tilts, three meetings with teams ranked in last season's final United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Coaches' Poll, and six Northeast Conference (NEC) contests. With six home games on the schedule, 2015 marks the second consecutive year that Robert Morris will play more games away from the friendly confines of Joe Walton Stadium.
The Colonials open up the season on the road against Ohio State on Tuesday, Feb. 10. This will be the first meeting with the Buckeyes since 2012, when RMU knocked off a nationally-ranked OSU squad in Columbus, 9-7.
From there, the Colonials come back to Moon Township for their home opener against Bellarmine on Valentine's Day. This is the eighth straight season that the Knights appear on RMU's schedule, but the first time since 2011 that Bellarmine is not the Colonials' first opponent.
On Saturday, Feb. 21, the Colonials travel to the Motor City to take on a familiar foe in Detroit. RMU is unbeaten against the Titans in five previous meetings, with one of those victories coming last season, 11-7.
Another road game awaits the Colonials on the following weekend as they play High Point on Saturday, Feb. 28. This will be RMU's first meeting with the Panthers, which will be playing their third season of varsity lacrosse in 2015.
The Colonials return home on Saturday, March 7 for a game against Siena. RMU picked up its most exciting win of the 2014 season against the Saints, coming back from five goals down to stun Siena in overtime, 10-9.
A quick turnaround awaits the Colonials following the Siena game, as RMU travels to Jacksonville on Wednesday, March 11 to play the Dolphins. Similar to their all-time series with Detroit, the Colonials are unbeaten in five previous meetings against Jacksonville, with the last win coming this past March, 13-9.
RMU completes its second of three two-game road swings on Saturday, March 21 when it opens up NEC play against Sacred Heart. The Colonials fell to the Pioneers at home last season, 9-7.
On Tuesday, March 24, RMU will host Maryland as the Terrapins begin their first season in the Big Ten Conference, which is sponsoring both men's and women's lacrosse for the first time in 2015. Maryland is coming off a Final Four appearance last season and was the national runner-up in 2011 and 2012.
RMU closes out its only multiple-game home stand on Saturday, March 28, when it hosts Hobart in an NEC meeting. The Colonials were knocked off by the Statesmen last season, 8-6.
Staying in conference play, RMU travels across the state on Saturday, April 4 to take on the reigning regular-season champion, Saint Joseph's. The Hawks were the lone undefeated team in the NEC last season.
The Colonials play their last midweek game of the 2015 campaign on Wednesday, April 8, as Mount St. Mary's comes to Joe Walton Stadium. RMU scored a season-high 15 goals against the Mountaineers last season in a 15-8 victory.
Conference play continues on Saturday, April 11 as the Colonials travel to Bryant. The Bulldogs, who have won three consecutive NEC Tournaments, defeated RMU on Senior Day last season, 13-6.
On Saturday, April 18, the Colonials finish the road part of their schedule as they travel west to play Air Force. RMU last played the Falcons in 2012 as a part of the DU Face-Off Classic, earning a 17-14 victory in the tournament's opening game.
Senior Day will be held on Saturday, April 25 as Wagner comes to Joe Walton Stadium. The Colonials have won eight consecutive games against the Seahawks, after picking up a 12-7 victory in Staten Island last season.
Robert Morris finished last season with an overall record of 5-9, but returns its top four scorers, including All-NEC selections
Eric Rankel,
James Rahe, and
JonPatrik Kealey.
