Lynchburg, Va. - A back-and-forth battle didn't end in favor of Robert Morris University women's lacrosse, as Liberty University pulled away with a 14-9 victory on Sunday afternoon at Liberty Lacrosse Field.

Junior midfielder Sophia Eureka had a career day, recording her first hat trick, finishing with four goals in her best individual offensive performance. 

Sophomore goalkeeper Katelyn Miller had an outstanding day in the cage, despite the outcome, making 13 saves, her third-highest career total.
 
Senior Dana Davis tallied the opening strike with an assist from sophomore Clio Kerr to give the Colonials a 1-0 lead just 32 seconds into the game. Hannah Miller cashed in on a feed from fellow freshman Kelley Flynn, making it 2-0 with 26:21 to play in the half.

Liberty got on the scoreboard before Eureka fired home her first of the day, using a slick shot to score a free position goal and give RMU a 3-1 lead.
 
The Flames added a goal, then stole a pass and used a three-one-one to race up the field and tie the game 3-3. Jenna Joyal buried her first of four goals on the day with 18:57 to play in the half, and added her second, giving the Flames their first lead of the game, 4-3, less than two minutes later.

Hannah Miler responded with the equalizer, assisted by Thalia Zolis, knotting the game again at 4-4, but that would be as close as the Colonials would get to regaining the lead.

Liberty used another three-goal bust to pull ahead 7-4.

Eureka scored her second of the game on a fast break up the field, assisted by Kerri Sayrafe, on a play that started with Katelyn Miller making a smart pass after a terrific save. Miller made 9 saves in the first half alone.

Leading RMU 7-5 at halftime, Liberty opened the second session strong, scoring three straight goals before RMU rallied a response.
 
Eureka completed her hat trick off a dish from Davis to cut the Flames lead to 10-6. Then, on a free position shot, Kerr bounced in a goal, pulling the Colonials within three.

HAT TRICK! First career hat trick for @SophieEureka, off the dish from Dana Davis @_D0uble_Dee #ColonialPride pic.twitter.com/DaKTOryV9t

— RMU Lacrosse (@RMUWLacrosse) February 25, 2018

Liberty scored again, trading goals with Eureka, who scored her fourth of the game off a pass from behind the goal by Melanie Gandy. After she checked off the assist, Gandy went for the goal, this time, off a pass from Flynn, bringing RMU back within two, trailing 11-9, with 14:27 to play.

The Flames held RMU off the scoreboard the rest of the way, adding three final tallies, to take the 14-9 victory, the program's first win over Robert Morris.

Liberty led shots on goal 27-20 and caused 17 turnovers, to RMU's 7. Free position goals were a difference-maker, with the Flames going 7-for-15 while RMU went 2-for-12.

Sophomore Meghan Crouse was held without a point for the first time this season, but collected 3 ground balls, won 4 draw controls and caused a pair of turnovers. Freshman Madison Griffin gathered a game-high 5 ground balls.

Robert Morris (2-2) returns home after three games on the road, hosting George Washington University on Saturday, March 3, at 11:30 a.m. at Joe Walton Stadium.


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