Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris University field hockey team returned home for the first time since Aug. 26 to open play in the Northeast Conference against Rider.  After a three-goal comeback in the second half by the Colonials, the game was decided in overtime as RMU fell 5-4.

In the first half, the Broncs would strike first in the 14^th minute as a pass led their forward in all alone on Erin McKenzie (Lismore, Australia).  The shot would sneak just inside the far left post for the early lead.  The Colonials would tie the game before the end of the half as Cami Mullens (Columbus, Ohio) would tip-in the initial shot by Jamie Hartley (Tamworth, Australia).  The goal came with just over a minute remaining in the half and the shot was the only shot-on-goal in the half.

The second half saw much more action as Rider would score three goals in the first six minutes of action.  The first came in the 37^th minute on a shot to the top-left corner of the net.  Almost exactly three minutes later, the Broncs would strike again on a shot that McKenzie was screened on to make the score 1-3.  Just over a minute later, Rider would strike again as another Bronc player found their way in all alone on the Colonial net.  Robert Morris would respond quickly as the netted their second goal off of a penalty corner.  Freshman Jess Martin-Brown (Mount Gambrier, Australia) would tip-in a shot by Sophie Watt (Sawtell, Australia).  Watt's shot came from the corner stroke by Taleah Scott (Crookwell, Australia).  In the 57^th minute, Scott would tip-in a shot by Jamie Hartley (Tamworth, Australia) after Scott took a penalty corner for the Colonials to make the score 3-4.  With just over ten minutes remaining in the game, Martin-Brown would pick up her second goal on the day as she finished another penalty corner for Robert Morris.  She tipped in a shot by Watt who was fed by Hartley as the passing went around the arc to the right side.  The second half would end as both teams pushed to end the contest without going to overtime.

Less than three minutes into overtime, Rider would capitalize with Robert Morris down a player.  The Broncs would score on a penalty corner with some give-and-go passing to create a tip-in chance over the outstretched arm of McKenzie.

After a brief stint at home, the Colonials will hit the road for a pair of games on Friday and Sunday.  First off, Robert Morris will play under the lights at Bryant on Friday with a 7:00 p.m. faceoff.  The team will conclude their road-trip with a game against Siena on Sunday afternoon at Noon.