Moon Township, Pa. - The Robert Morris University field hockey team kept its hope alive for the program's first ever Northeast Conference playoff birth with a 2-1 victory over Sacred Heart on Sunday afternoon.

The Colonials would open the scoring in the first half as Jess Martin-Brown (Mount Gambrier, Australia) tipped in a shot by Michelle Lewthwaite (Macarthur, Australia) as the team would capitalize on a penalty corner in the fifth minute.  Lewthwiate received the initial pass from Taleah Scott (Crookwell, Australia) before stepping into a shot at the top of the arc that sailed over the lunging Pioneer goaltender.  Despite a frantic push by Sacred Heart to close out the half, RMU would hold the 1-0 advantage as the two teams headed to the locker room for the intermission.

Just like the first half, Robert Morris would strike quickly during the beginning of the second half.  Just two and a half minutes into the half, Jamie Hartley (Tamworth, Australia) doubled the Colonial advantage with her sixth goal of the season.  The Pioneers would spoil RMU's shutout bid in the 56th minute as they netted their first goal off of a rebound.  The Colonial defense would fend off twelve attempted shots by SHU in the second half to rally around goaltender Erin McKenzie (Lismore, Australia) and preserve the team's second Northeast Conference victory.

In the game, Robert Morris outshot the Pioneers 9-8 as freshman Sophie Watt (Sawtell, Australia) had a game-high four shots on goal.  McKenzie picked up her second victory of the season while making seven saves on the afternoon.

The Colonials will hit the road for their final two contests of the season as they travel to Monmouth for a Friday afternoon contest at 4:00 p.m.  On their travels back, the team will make a stop in Loretto, Pa. to conclude the regular season against St. Francis (Pa.) on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.