Moon Township, Pa. - The Robert Morris University women's lacrosse team opened the 2018 season with a long, hard-fought 5-4 loss in the second overtime against Bucknell on Saturday afternoon at Joe Walton Stadium.

RMU got off to a hot start with the first two goals of the game. Sophomores Meghan Crouse and Mackenzie Gandy put the Colonials ahead 2-0 in the opening 3:31 of the game.

After the Bison tied the game at 2-2, freshman Madison Griffin scored the go-ahead to put the Colonials ahead 3-2 at halftime.

Bucknell rallied for two goals, the first coming with 13:47 left in the second half, the second, to take its first lead of the game with 2:07 to play in regulation. This wrapped up a stretch in which the RMU defense, including goalkeeper Katelyn Miller, didn't allow a goal for a stretch of 41 minutes and 30 seconds.

With the clock winding down after the Bison tally, senior and three-time all-Northest Conference selection Dana Davis found the equalizer with 59 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. 

RMU and Bucknell battled through one overtime and into a second, when Mary Margaret Kenney scored with 1:45 remaining in the second extra frame, to end the game.

RMU outshot the Bison 25-12, 15-7 in shots on goal, but Bucknell goalkeeper Jamie DeWitt made 11 saves, including going five-for-five on Colonials' free position shots in the overtime periods.

The Colonials defense stymied Bucknell throughout the game, causing 15 turnovers. RMU collected 25 ground balls and won the draw control battle 9-5.

Sophomore defenders Madison Burke and Kelly Colegrove each caused three turnovers, Colegrove also scooping up a pair of ground balls, while Burke picked up a crucial ground ball late in regulation to thwart a Bison opportunity. Sophomore defender Shea McArdle had a ground ball and a caused turnover, as did sophomore Melanie Gandy, who also assisted on her sister's goal in the first half. Senior Niki Grillon gathered three ground balls and Miller, the goalkeeper, caused a pair of turnovers.

Offensively, Griffin not only scored her first career goal, but also collected five ground balls and caused two turnovers. Crouse picked up three ground balls and caused a pair of turnovers. Davis also snagged three ground balls, won four draw controls and caused a turnover, firing nine total shots in the game including five shots on goal. Sophomore Clio Kerr was also sharp on the draw, winning three.

Robert Morris (0-1) travels across town to face non-conference rival Duquesne next Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Rooney Field.


--