Moon Township, Pa. – True freshman midfielder Eric Rankel (Philadelphia, Pa. / Downingtown West) of the Robert Morris University men's lacrosse team was selected as the Northeast Conference (NEC) Rookie of the Week as announced by the league office Monday.

Rankel claimed his fifth weekly honor of the season with this announcement, which ties him for the most weekly awards won by a Colonial men's lacrosse student-athlete in a career.

The accolade was also the 11th weekly honor for the RMU team this year, tying the program record for most weekly honors in a season that the 2012 squad had set.

Rankel had a memorable day in this past Saturday's contest at Sacred Heart as his hat trick allowed him to break multiple RMU records. With his three scores Saturday, Rankel broke the Colonial freshmen record for both goals (21) and points (32) in a season, topping marks that Corbyn Tao-Brambleby had set during the 2008 season. Rankel's effort marked his 10th multi-point game in 12 outings this season and his fifth multi-goal performance.

His third hat trick of the season helped him continue to pace NEC rookies in points per game (2.67), goals per game (1.75) and assists per game (0.92). Rankel also ranks among the top 10 nationally in both points per game and goals per game among freshmen.

Rankel is one of nine active Colonials who have won a weekly honor in their career.

Robert Morris has clinched a berth in the NEC Tournament for the third straight season. The Colonials could be seeded second, third or fourth in the event as the final weekend of league games will determine the final seedings as three schools still have a chance to host the event.

RMU will play its final regular season contest and home finale this coming Saturday, April 27. The opening faceoff time was recently adjusted and is now set for 11:30 a.m. A brief pregame ceremony will precede the game to recognize RMU's senior class.