Pontiac, Mich. – The
Robert Morris University men's lacrosse team battled back and forth with the University of Detroit this afternoon, but it was ultimately the Titans coming out strong as they defeated the visiting Colonials in overtime, 11-10, from Ultimate Soccer Arenas.
Robert Morris (0-3, 0-0 NEC) dropped its third consecutive game to open up the season, despite outshooting Detroit (2-1, 0-0 MAAC) in attempts, 51-32, and on goal, 26-20.
The Colonials received multi-goal performances from freshman
Carter Yepsen and juniors
Luke Laszkiewicz and
Eric Rankel. Yepsen registered his first career hat trick in the defeat.
RMU jumped out to a 3-0 lead in first three minutes thanks to tallies from
James Rahe, Laszkiewicz, and
Jacob Ruest.
After the Titans closed the first quarter with a goal, the Colonials responded with an
Eric Wales tally from Rahe. However, Detroit fought back to score five of the next six goals, taking a 6-5 lead into the halftime break.
The two teams traded goals from there, with neither seeming to gain an edge. Yepsen scored 35 seconds into the second half, while Rankel responded to a Titan tally with a man-up goal. Detroit took an 8-7 lead into the fourth quarter after Shayne Adams ripped the net with two seconds left.
Man-up tallies from Laszkiewicz and Rankel sandwiched a Titan goal in the final frame of regulation. Kyle Beauregard scored his second goal of the stanza with 1:40 left in the fourth quarter, but Yepsen completed his hat trick 13 seconds later to make it 10-10.
RMU gave itself a chance to win it in regulation after redshirt junior
Chris Barney won the ensuing faceoff. After a timeout, the Colonials set up an opportunity for Rankel, but the junior's shot caromed off the post. Laszkiewicz then ripped a shot wide with a second remaining, setting the scene for overtime.
Detroit wouldn't allow the RMU offense to get another chance as the winning goal came with 2:05 remaining in the extra stanza.
Freshman
Chase Rose made nine saves in the loss.
Yepsen added a team-high five groundballs with his first career hat trick.
Barney won 14 of 24 draws at the dot on the afternoon.
Robert Morris completes a two-game road swing next weekend at High Point. Opening faceoff between the Colonials and Panthers is set for Saturday, Feb. 28 at 11:00 a.m. from Vert Stadium.
