HIGH POINT, N.C. - The Robert Morris University women's lacrosse team fell in the second game of their two-game North Carolina road trip as High Point defeated the Colonials, 18-7.
The Colonials (1-3, 0-0) found the net first but Panthers (5-2, 0-0) battled back and dominated the first half and never look back sending RMU to its third consecutive loss. Cara Hernandez (New Albany, Ohio / New Albany) put together a dominate offensive performance scoring four goals and assisting on a fifth. Kaitlin Pentz (Sykesville, Md. / Century) made a season high 10 saves in net and faced a season high 43 shots.
Hernandez got off to fast start scoring just 29 seconds into the game to give the Colonials an early advantage. High Point responded with eight consecutive goals including two from Grace Gaeng and two from Mackenzie Carroll. Ashley Trombetta (Sykesville, Md. / Century) ended the run with a goal at the 10:36 mark of the first half. Robert Morris rode the wave of momentum from Trombetta's goal to go on a 4-1 run to cut the lead to 9-5. The Panthers closed the half with three consecutive goals and took a 12-5 lead into the half.
High Point opened the second half with four consecutive goals to put the game out of reach for the Colonials. Hernandez scored his fourth goal of the game at the 11:45 mark of the second half as Trombetta picked up the assist. Colleen O'Donnell (Portland, Ore. / St. Mary's Academy) close score in the game with a free position shot and goal at the 2:04 mark of the second stanza. The picked up a total of 37 ground balls with 17 coming in the second half.
High Point outshot Robert Morris 43-18 including holding a 15-3 advantage in the second half. The Colonials continued to post solid clear numbers going 13-for-14 on clear attempts. Pentz posted her first double-digit save performance stopping 10 shots between the pipes for RMU.
Robert Morris returns to action Wednesday as the Colonials return to Joe Walton Stadium to take on cross-town rival Duquesne at 5:00 p.m.
