Moon Township, Pa. - The Robert Morris University women's lacrosse team scored 15 of the final 18 goals on a wintry Sunday afternoon at Joe Walton Stadium, as the Colonials overwhelmed visiting Cincinnati 20-7 for their first victory of 2015.

RMU juniors Corey Karwacki and Emily Jamison scored four goals each, while Kristin Yoviene continued her early-season scoring tear by netting three goals and adding three assists. The senior midfielder has 16 points (7g, 9a) in the Colonials' first two games, bolstering an attack that has produced 37 goals over that span.

Jessica Karwacki contributed three goals, an assist and 18 draw controls, and fellow junior Brittany Byerly tacked on four points (2g, 2a) herself. Nine Colonials in all recorded at least a point, including three (2g, 1a) for freshman midfielder Dana Davis and the first NCAA goal for fellow newcomer Alexis Rusnak.

"I think we all helped each other look good today," Corey Karwacki, who now has seven points (5g, 2a) on the season. "We had a lot of people contribute. We didn't come in overconfident and got everyone involved."

RMU goalie Mackenzie Duffy chipped in with eight saves, making it back-to-back strong showings for the freshman from Rhode Island. Much like in their season-opening overtime loss to Duquesne on Wednesday, the Colonials displayed smooth ball movement through all areas of the field, as demonstrated by their 12-for-14 performance in clear attempts.

Robert Morris' playmaking has been a consistent theme through the first two games as well. The Colonials have recorded assists on 19 of 27 non-free-position goals thus far, with six different players getting on the scoresheet in that way.

"What you're seeing is that we have a lot of options on the attack," RMU head coach Katy Phillips said. "That's what we want our offensive unit to understand. It's going to be hard to defend a seven-man unit where everyone can score."

Despite the comfortable result, the Colonials found themselves in a battle early. Cincinnati's Courtney Curtis registered a hat trick in the opening 15 minutes, helping the Big East's Bearcats (0-4) stay in the game. It was 5-4 in favor of RMU when Corey Karwacki ripped the net with four consecutive goals to increase the margin to five goals at the half.

"I thought we started taking better care of the ball from the midpoint of the first half through the end of the game," said assistant coach Katrina Silva. "The players made the smart passes...they realized they didn't always have to go forward with the ball to play fast. Just better decisions all the way around."

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The Colonials kept the pressure on from there, rifling four goals past Cincinnati goalie Meg Gulmi in the opening three minutes of the second half. Junior midfielder Jessica Karwacki capped that surge with her first goal of the season, which was fitting since her draw-control dominance ensured RMU owned the ball for the majority of the chilly afternoon.

"When we keep possession like that, everyone gets in a nice groove," Silva said. "Jess needed that goal just to see one hit the back of the net, and she made some good adjustments on the draw."

After Cincinnati's Sarah Del Bene ended RMU's goal streak at eight with 23 minutes to go in the game, the Colonials poured in five consecutive goals to trigger a running clock. Much like her twin sister did late in the first half, Jessica Karwacki keyed the push with two more goals.

"Jess and Corey play well together," Phillips said. "When one has a big game, the other one does, too."

Phillips said Corey's positioning out wide has helped create space for the RMU attack, especially after Jessica wins possession. 

"(Corey) has been such a huge option off the draw out wide. When she does that, the (defenders) tend to fall into the center. She had an all-out game today, which is exciting to see."

With RMU ahead by double digits late, Phillips was able to get five freshmen their first collegiate action. In addition to Rusnak, who gave the Colonials their 20th goal, Dominique Zigo, Niki Grillon, Bridgette Champane and Taylor Lewand also saw the field. That young group helped finish a dominant second half that yielded 11 RMU goals to Cincinnati's three.

"In order to be a championship-caliber team, we have to play the second half the same way we play the first half," Phillips said. "That's been something that we've really focused on. We demonstrated that we were still going to (goal) and we weren't playing it safe."

On the defensive side of the game, Davis and Jessica Karwacki tied for the team lead with four ground balls and Megan Wolfgang forced a pair of turnovers.

"I think the defense was excellent," Corey Karwacki said. "We were really steady back there with Kristi (Marks) and Haley (Schemm). Micah (Brown) has really been stepping up a lot, too, and that's great."

The Colonials continue non-conference play with a trip to Washington, D.C., to face Howard on Saturday, Feb. 28. First draw is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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