Louisville, Ky. – In an incredible comeback attempt, the Robert Morris University men's lacrosse team outscored Bellarmine, 9-1, in the second half, but was unable to overcome the Knights' dominant offensive performance in the first 30 minutes of action and fell to Bellarmine, 11-10, Saturday afternoon in Owsley B. Frazier Stadium.
 
Senior attack Luke Laszkiewicz led the Colonials' scoring with a hat trick and added two assists to combine for five points. Sophomore attack Adrian Torok-Orban netted two goals and dished an assist to match his career-high three points. Senior midfielder James Rahe put together a multi-point game with a goal and an assist. Redshirt senior starting goalkeeper Matt Bukovac and freshman goaltender Alex Heger combined for 11 saves on the day.
 
The Colonials (0-2) kept their second half momentum alive after a strong third quarter and continued the offensive attack with a goal just 26 seconds into the fourth. Bellarmine (1-0) scored a man-up goal with 5:15 remaining in the final frame in an attempt to slow the RMU scoring streak, but the Colonials did not let up. With 20 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, redshirt senior attack Eric Wales took a quick shot on a pass from Laszkiewicz to bring RMU within one. The Knights managed to maintain possession as the final seconds ticked off the clock and stopped the Colonials just short of an incredible comeback victory.
 
Trailing 10-1 at the half, Robert Morris regrouped during the break and proved the Colonials came to play with seven unanswered goals to start the second stanza. Sophomore midfielder Carter Yepsen kicked off the second half scoring 2:48 into the third quarter. Laszkiewicz's first of three goals on the day came late in the third, and sophomore midfielder Leighton Gibson scored his first career goal on an assist from Laszkiewicz to close the 3-0 frame in favor of the Colonials.
 
The Knights were lights out on offense in the first half, scoring five goals in the opening quarter and five more unanswered in the second. Bellarmine controlled the ball for the entire second quarter, as Robert Morris failed to get the ball into their offensive zone until just under six minutes to play in the frame.
 
The Colonials earned the first extra-man opportunity of the game late in the second quarter, but were unable to convert. RMU earned a subsequent one-minute man-up chance and was able to get on the board with Rahe's tally on the man advantage with 1:41 remaining in the first half.
 
Robert Morris went 2-for-5 on man-up opportunities, while Bellarmine went 1-for-2. RMU topped BU in shots, 38-33, but the Knights controlled the faceoff circle and won 21 of 24, including 16 of 16 through the first three quarters of action. RMU forced 10 of Bellarmine's 20 turnovers, and committed just 11 turnovers of its own, including nine caused miscues.
 
The Colonials open action at home this Saturday, Feb. 20 with an 11 a.m. game against Manhattan in Joe Walton Stadium.
 
 
Tale of Two Halves
Bellarmine outscored RMU, 10-1, in the first half, while the Colonials took control in the second half and outscored the Knights, 9-1.
 
First Things First
Leighton Gibson scored his first career goal in today's game.


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