Hayes earned the accolade after breaking RMU's single-game record for points in a 25-9 downing of Quinnipiac this past Saturday.

With the honor, Hayes claimed his third offensive player of the week award this season while no other student-athlete in the league has garnered such recognition more than once.

The selection gives the Colonials their fifth offensive player of the week honor of the season, a total which equals the number that the rest of the league combined has taken.

Hayes ventured into uncharted waters Saturday as he became the first Colonial in program history to supply nine points in a single contest. Additionally, in the NEC's three years of sponsoring men's lacrosse, no player had previously reached nine points in a single outing. Hayes, who had tied the school record earlier this season with eight points against Air Force, achieved the feat on the strength of five goals and a career-high four assists. He moved into third place in single-season goals at RMU (37) and into sixth in single-season points (52) as he posted at least five goals for the second time this season. Hayes' 11th career hat trick was also his fifth straight multi-goal game and his 10th such effort in 13 games this season.

Hayes currently leads the NEC and ranks fifth nationally in goals per game with 2.85. He sits second in the NEC in points per game at 4.0, a mark which ranks 13th across the nation. Hayes also has the second-highest shooting percentage in the country at the week's outset as he has converted on 56.1 percent of his shots.

Robert Morris has had five distinct student athletes honored by the NEC this season, which is tops in the conference.

Hayes' honor is the ninth weekly award that RMU has tallied this season, matching last year's total with one week left in the regular season.

RMU is off until this coming Saturday, April 28, when they welcome Bryant for the right to host the upcoming NEC Tournament. The opening faceoff is set for 1:00 p.m.