Box Score

Lawrenceville, N.J. – The Robert Morris University field hockey team made their postseason debut this evening, as they took on top-seeded Rider in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) semifinals.

Behind a goal from sophomore forward Jess Martin-Brown (Mount Gambier, Australia / University of Adelaide), the Colonials extended their season another day, as they upset the Broncs, 1-0, to advance to the MAAC Championship Game.

RMU faced Rider earlier this season, but didn't have much success against the conference's preseason favorite, as they fell 2-0. The Broncs held advantages in shots (13 to 4), shots on goal (9 to 2), and penalty corners (8 to 4).

But tonight was a different story. Rider rifled off 18 shots, but only seven made their way to junior goalkeeper Erin McKenzie (Lismore, Australia / University of Queensland Tech) – who stopped them all. The Colonials fired 22 shots in total, with 15 of them challenging Broncs netminder Joelle Prettyman.

RMU withstood an early Rider rush to start the game. Kalyn O'Brien fired a shot that was blocked up front, then McKenzie made a save on an attempt from Alicia Govannicci.

The Colonials then went on the offensive attack, as they registered the next six shot attempts. The Broncs countered with three attempts in their offensive zone, then after a blocked shot and one sent wide, RMU finally broke through as Martin-Brown batted in a rebound from junior forward Julianne Alspaugh (Carlisle, Pa. / Cumberland Valley).

Sophomore midfielder Sophie Watt (Sawtell, Australia / John Paul College) almost made it 2-0 as she rifled off a shot that Prettyman stopped. Rider came back with three shot attempts; the last of which saved by McKenzie to end the half.

The second half started like the first as the Broncs went on the offensive attack. McKenzie stopped a Laura McCormick attempt, and a second shot was sent wide. Junior midfielder Jamie Hartley (Tamworth, Australia / University of Newcastle) came back with an attempt that was blocked, then Watt and freshman forward Harriet Brown (Salisbury, United Kingdom / Canford School) challenged the Rider goalkeeper with two shots that she had to save.

Brown almost stretched the lead to 2-0 in the 64^th minute. The freshman fired two shots that Prettyman saved, and then rifled off a third that was blocked up front. Less than three minutes later, Hartley tried again to score her eighth goal of the year, but Prettyman stood tall for her 14^th save of the game.

The Broncs tried one last time to tie the game, but the Colonial defense hung on. Nicole Hareau and Alsina C. Clotet fired shots that McKenzie saved, then Sandra Penas' attempt was blocked. With six seconds remaining on the clock, McKenzie came up with the biggest save of her career, stopping a shot from Rachel Schwab to win the game.

McKenzie earned her seventh shutout of the season and the ninth of her career in the victory.

RMU takes on Quinnipiac tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. in the MAAC Championship Game.