Moon Township, Pa. – The 2017 Northeast Conference Regular-Season title and home field advantage in the 2017 Northeast Conference Tournament are on the line, when the Robert Morris University men's lacrosse team hosts Hobart on Senior Day, Saturday, April 29 at 1 p.m. in Joe Walton Stadium.
 
Despite last weekend's loss to Bryant, the Colonials (9-5, 4-1 NEC) secured a spot in their second consecutive and fifth overall NEC Tournament. They currently share first place in the NEC standings with the Statesmen (7-6, 4-1 NEC), who are riding a three-game winning streak heading into Saturday's conference clash.

 

ROBERT MORRIS VS. HOBART
SATURDAY, APRIL 29		Faceoff	Live Stream	Live Stats
ROBERT MORRIS | HOBART		1:00 p.m.	NEC Front Row	Sidearm

 
 
PROMOTIONS
HEADstrong Foundation Game
Donations will be collected for the HEADstrong Foundation prior to tomorrow's game through halftime. A donation table will be set up in the walkway leading into the stadium. Those who make donations of $20 or more will receive a HEADstrong wristband. Those wishing to make donations but are unable to make it to the game tomorrow can donate online.
 
Halftime shootout includes various prizes such as officially-licensed RMU merchandise and Moe's Southwest Grill "Moe's Bucks."
 
 
Robert Morris versus Hobart
Hobart (7-6, 4-1 NEC)
Robert Morris is 2-5 all-time against Hobart. The Statesmen have won the last three meetings between the two programs. The Colonials are 1-3 at home when hosting Hobart. The last time RMU defeated Hobart was in Moon Township in 2013, when the Colonials topped the Statesmen, 16-12.
 
Scouting Hobart
Hobart's 15-8 win over The Mount last weekend propelled the Statesmen to a first-place tie for the Northeast Conference regular-season title with Robert Morris. Senior attackman Frank Brown led the way with a program record-tying six goals and two assists for a career-high eight points. Brown leads Hobart with 26 goals and 40 points. In Hobart's previous two wins against Bryant and Mount St. Mary's, junior midfielder J. Andrew Spallanzani was 33-of-44 (.750) in the faceoff X and grabbed 17 ground balls. Brown was named NEC Co-Player of the Week last week, and freshman attack Justin Scott was named NEC Rookie of the Week for the second straight week after tallying four points on two goals and two assists last weekend.
 
Breaking It Down
Robert Morris and Hobart are currently tied for first place in the Northeast Conference standings. The winner of Saturday's game will claim the regular-season title and the right to host the 2017 Northeast Conference Tournament. This would be the second-ever NEC regular-season championship for RMU and first since 2012. The four-team tournament field includes Robert Morris, Hobart, Bryant, and Sacred Heart. RMU is making its second consecutive trip to the conference tournament, and fifth overall.
 
Senior Day
Seniors Brett Cass and Alec Johnston will be honored prior to today's opening faceoff.

 
Among the Ranks
The Colonials rank third in the nation in caused turnovers per game (9.79), fifth in saves per game (13.21), and rank among the top 20 in ground balls per game (14^th; 30.93), assists per game (20^th; 6.79), and winning percentage (19^th; .643).
 
Leading the Way
Robert Morris leads the Northeast Conference in winning percentage, saves per game, ground balls per game, and assists per game.
 
Consistency in the Cage
Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Heger ranks second in the nation in saves per game (12.79) and sixth in save percentage (.583). He paces the NEC in both categories.
 
Freshman Phenom
Freshman Ryan Smith has posted a point in 10 of 13 games played, including six of the last seven outings. He ranks third on the team in goals (18), third in assists (8) and fourth in points (26).
 
Share the Wealth
RMU's offensive production has been spread throughout the stat sheet across multiple players. Three different players have recorded 30 points or more this season. In total, 21 different Colonials have found the back of the net at least once in 2017.
 
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).
 
 
Follow RMU Lacrosse:
@RMUMLacrosse
@RMUMLacrosse
Robert Morris Lacrosse