Moon Township, Pa. – In a Northeast Conference clash, the
Robert Morris University men's lacrosse team takes to the road to host Saint Joseph's on Saturday, April 1 at 1 p.m. on Sweeney Field in Philadelphia, Pa.
The Colonials (6-3, 2-0 NEC) look to improve to 3-0 in conference action, and extend their winning streak to three games. The Hawks (3-6, 0-1 NEC) seek to snap a three-game losing skid, and earn their first league victory of the season.
ROBERT MORRIS AT SAINT JOSEPH'S |
SATURDAY, APRIL 1 |
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Faceoff |
Live Stream |
Live Stats |
ROBERT MORRIS | SAINT JOSEPH'S |
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1:00 p.m. |
NEC Front Row |
SJUHawks |
Robert Morris versus Saint Joseph's
Saint Joseph's (3-6, 0-1 NEC)
Robert Morris is 1-4 all time against Saint Joseph's. The Colonials defeated the Hawks in the regular season last year, but fell to SJU in the 2016 NEC Tournament semifinals.
Scouting Saint Joseph's
Senior faceoff specialist Danny Manning's 57.9% from the circle leads the NEC (17
th nationally). Overall, the Hawks rank second in team face-off winning percentage at 53.2%. The possession battle will be key, as Robert Morris leads the NEC and ranks 16
th nationally in clearing percentage at 90%. Junior attackman Jason Kelly (17g, 14a), junior attackman Chris Blewitt (13g, 6a), and senior midfielder Kevin Reidinger (14g, 2a) lead the squad in scoring and are SJU's only three offensive players to make all nine starts. Junior midfielder Hayes McGinley matches Blewitt's team-high six assists.
National Radar
Three weeks ago, Robert Morris was receiving votes in the USILA/Nike Division I Coaches Poll for the first time since 2012.
Among the Ranks
The Colonials rank seventh in the nation in saves per game (12.78), eighth in caused turnovers per game (8.67), and rank among the top 20 in clearing percentage (16
th; .900), and winning percentage (.667). Sophomore goalkeeper
Alex Heger ranks 6
th in the nation in saves per game (12.44), and 12
th in save percentage (.566). He paces the NEC in both categories.
NEC Spotlight
Freshman attack
Ryan Smith was named NEC Player of the Week and Co-Rookie of the Week for his career-high four goals, including the overtime game-winning goal against Mount St. Mary's last weekend.
Mr. Reliable
Junior attack Adrian Torok-Orban is one of 24 players nationally who are currently riding a 20-plus game point streak (24 games: 48G, 15A, 63P) dating back to April 25, 2015.
Schedule Notes
For the first time since 2012, the Colonials will play a game under the lights of Joe Walton Stadium, when they host Canisius on Tues., April 18 at 7 p.m. in a non-conference, evening clash. Robert Morris' April 8 game against Wagner is Youth Day. Giveaways, a halftime competition and more will be offered to youth lacrosse athletes, grades K through eighth.
Colonials in the Pros
There are currently eleven former Colonials from the Robert Morris men's lacrosse program competing in the National Lacrosse League (NLL).
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