The
Robert Morris University women's lacrosse team enters the final weekend of the regular season still alive for a berth in the Northeast Conference tournament, but the Colonials will likely need to collect a pair of wins on the road to qualify for the postseason for the second straight year.
MUSKET SHOTS- After splitting a pair of games at home last weekend, the Colonials are
tied for fourth in the NEC with a record of 2-3 against league opponents. The top three teams - Bryant (5-0), Wagner (5-0) and Mount St. Mary's (4-1) - have already clinched their spots in the conference tournament, with RMU and LIU Brooklyn battling over the final position.
- The Colonials made this weekend meaningful with an emotional late rally
against Central Connecticut last Sunday. Trailing 8-7 with two minutes to go, senior
Kristin Yoviene scored to tie the game, followed by junior
Emily Jamison's game-winning goal with 57 seconds to play in front of a lively Senior Day crowd at Joe Walton Stadium.
- Although a loss to Sacred Heart wouldn't necessary eliminate the Colonials from postseason contention, it would severely limit their chances. A win Friday wouldn't clinch anything either, as even if LIU Brooklyn loses to Saint Francis, RMU would still need to defeat the Blackbirds on Sunday to make the NEC tournament.
- Sacred Heart may have only one win in conference, but the Pioneers have been competitive in every NEC game. Incredibly, they have played five consecutive one-goal games, all in conference, including a 6-5 victory over Central Connecticut on April 12. Sacred Heart has held three straight opponents to eight goals or fewer.
- As for LIU Brooklyn, the Blackbirds have lost three in a row to jeopardize their playoff chances. They have allowed an average of 17.7 goals during the streak, which features defeats at postseason locks Bryant, Wagner and Mount St. Mary's.Â
- Sophomore goalkeeper
Hallie Yancey made her seventh start and 11th appearance of the season in Sunday's victory over Central Connecticut, but it was the first time this year she had played all 60 minutes of a game. She made five saves on 18 shots in improving her record to 4-3.
VIDEO FEATURESenior attack Baukhages led the Colonials with three goals against Central Connecticut, her third hat trick of the season. The Maryland native talked with
Matt Gajtka about the emotions of Senior Day and what RMU has to do to succeed this weekend:
If the Colonials qualify for the NEC tournament, it will begin with the semifinal round next Friday, May 1. The highest-seeded team will host all postseason games.
Follow the RMU women's lacrosse team on Twitter and Instagram.Â
