Box Score

Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris University field hockey team dropped a heartbreaker to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) foe Bryant, 1-0, in overtime.

The Colonials had their opportunities – as evidenced by the advantages in shots (11 to 9), shots on goal (7 to 6), and penalty corners (11 to 5) – but couldn't get the ball past Bulldog goalkeeper Megan Hancock, who made seven saves.

RMU felt early pressure with two shots within a minute and a half of each other. Kayleigh Ballantyne first fired a shot at junior goalkeeper Erin McKenzie (Lismore, Australia / University of Queensland Tech), but she was able to make the save. Then MaKayla Hancock gathered a pass from Mallory Hancock on a penalty corner and took a shot, but McKenzie was there once again.

The Colonials would return the pressure in the second half. Freshman Harriet Brown (Salisbury, United Kingdom / Canford School) first challenged the Bryant defense in the 43^rd minute with a shot, but it was blocked up front. Less than a minute later it was sophomore Sophie Watt (Sawtell, Australia / John Paul College) who would challenge the Bulldog goalkeeper, but to no avail. Sunday's hero Julianne Alspaugh (Carlisle, Pa. / Cumberland Valley) then tried to sneak one through, but it was denied.

RMU would gain another penalty corner opportunity in the 50^th minute. Junior Taleah Scott (Crookwell, Australia / Crookwell) would pass it to the top of the key and it would eventually find Watt again. The sophomore took a shot which was saved, but freshman Chloe McIlwaine (Belfast, Ireland / Northumbria University) was there for a chance at the rebound. She swatted at it, but again Hancock came through with another save.

Alspaugh almost broke through again 16 seconds into overtime, but her attempt at a second-straight game-winning overtime goal was pushed away by Hancock. Scott would then attempt to win it for the Colonials, but her shot was saved.

Bryant would carry the ball back to their side of the field with momentum, but McKenzie and the RMU defense would initially hold strong. McKenzie made a save and her helpers up front blocked two more shots, but Mallory Hancock would win it for the visitors with a shot from the front of the goal.

McKenzie made five saves on the evening.

The Colonials look to rebound on Sunday at Joe Walton Stadium with a game against Siena at noon.