State College, Pa. – The Robert Morris University men's lacrosse team dropped their season opener on the road at Penn State, 20-7, Saturday afternoon at Holuba Hall.
 
The all-time series between the Pennsylvania programs is now tied, 2-2.
 
Three Colonials recorded a team game-high two points. Senior attack Luke Laszkiewicz recorded two goals, including one on an extra-man opportunity. Sophomore attack JonPatrik Kealey and senior midfielder Eric Rankel each posted a goal and an assist. Additionally, Rankel picked up five ground balls. In their first collegiate appearance, freshmen Shane Majewski and Stephen Cyron each scored their first career goal.
 
Robert Morris (0-1) made a late rally attempt with three goals in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter, but Penn State (1-0) piled on five unanswered goals in the first quarter and carried a 14-2 lead into the second half, from which the Colonials would never recover.
 
Laszkiewicz's back-to-back goals in the middle of the third quarter made it a 17-4 game. RMU scored three consecutive goals to close the fourth and bring the team within 13, but just as the Colonials started to gain momentum, time expired and the Nittany Lions clinched their home opener.
 
Redshirt senior starting goalkeeper Matt Bukovac logged 35:19 and made nine saves. In his collegiate debut, freshman goaltender Alex Heger made four saves and registered 22:42.
 
The Colonials are back on the road next weekend when they head to Bellarmine on Saturday, Feb. 13 for a 1 p.m. game in Louisville, Ky.
 
 
Stepping Right In
Nine of 12 freshmen on the 2016 roster made their collegiate debut in today's game.
 
 
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