Box Score MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Oct. 16, 2011 -The Robert Morris field hockey team picked up its first Northeast Conference win of the season on Sunday, topping Siena 3-2 at Joe Walton Stadium for the program's seventh win of the season - an RMU record for wins in a season.
The win snaps a five-game losing skid for the Colonials, who outshot the Saints 25-9 in the win (7-3 shots on goal). Freshman midfielder Jamie Hartley (Tamworth, Australia / University of Newcastle) tallied twice for the Colonials including the game winner while senior forward Chantele Crow (Dauphin, Pa. / Central Dauphin) also scored for the Colonials.
Robert Morris (7-10 overall, 1-3 NEC) tallied all three of its goals in the game's first 11 minutes and then successfully protected the lead to seal the win. Hartley opened the day with her first of two scores at 6:05. Hartley, who ended the day with a team-high eight goals and 21 points, fired home the scoring shot with a give-and-go off an RMU corner. Freshman defender Michelle Lewthwaite (Macarthur, Australia / Westfield Sports) and freshman midfielder Taleah Scott (Crookwell, Australia / Crookwell) assisted on the goal.
Crow would push the deficit to 2-0 just over 2:30 later when she pocketed her sixth goal of the year at 8:37. The unassisted goal came after Crow forced a turnover and drove towards the net from the baseline before finding the back of the goal.
Hartley would add her second of the day at 10:51 with the eventual game winner - again off a Colonials corner (RMU would hold a 16-6 advantage on penalty corners in the game). And once again, the play was set up with a corner attempt by Scott, who added her second assist of the day to end with a program-high 11 helpers on the season.
Siena (0-15, 0-4) would make a game of it however before all was said and done. Jessica Smith cut the lead to two goals with a score at 28:01 after being set up by Cory dela Gorgendiere. Kelly Johansmeyer reduced the deficit to one goal at 42:18 when she tipped in a strike from the top of the circle after a Saints corner attempt. Smith and Lindsay Mayo earned assists on the play.
In goal, freshman Erin McKenzie (Lismore, Australia / University of Queensland Tech) and junior Paige Neat (Louisville, Ky. / Christian Academy) split time in goal for the Colonials. McKenzie picked up the win, starting the contest and playing the majority of the first half - stopping three of the four shots she faced. Neat closed out the game, making one save and allowing one goal in just over a half of work between the pipes.
Robert Morris continues the conference schedule next weekend, starting Friday with a home contest against Saint Francis (Pa.) at noon. The Colonials return to action on Sunday at noon at Rider.
###