Men's Lacrosse | 3/12/2018 8:02:00 PM
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Another defensive player on the No. 17
Robert Morris men's lacrosse team has been recognized for a superlative effort against a Power 5 conference opponent on the road.
Goalkeeper
Alex Heger is the Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Week, it was announced Monday. The 5'10", 175-pound junior from Carmel (Ind.) High School registered 12 saves and a career single-game high .857 save percentage in a 12-2 mauling of No. 19/18 Marquette at MU's Valley Fields Saturday.
The victory tied a school record for fewest goals allowed in a single game to a current D-I program. The record had been established in the Colonials' 10-2 decision over Wagner Feb. 24, 2008.
It was also the first RMU win over an active Big East member in history, as well as its fifth all-time over a ranked opponent. Four of those wins have been earned since reigning Northeast Conference Coach of the YearÂ
Andrew McMinn took over as head coach in 2012.
Furthermore, it led the Colonials to an unprecedented No. 17 ranking in the new Maverik Media Men's Division I Poll published by Inside Lacrosse Magazine Monday.
Heger set the tone immediately with a big stop at the end of the game's opening possession by the Golden Eagles, which led to an
Adrian Torok-Orban goal in transition. That touched off an incredible 7-0 run by Robert Morris that spanned the first quarter.
He slammed the door with another scoreless period in the fourth, and he helped Robert Morris to 19 successful clears for an .863 percentage on the day, also collecting two of the team's 20 ground balls.
The Colonials boast a .918 clearing percentage on the season that ranks sixth in the nation.
This is the third career NEC Defensive Player of the Week win for Heger, and his first since Apr. 3, 2017. Heger joins fellow junior and long-stick midfielder
Jack Toomb as the second different Colonial to claim that prize this year.
His .578 save percentage is up to 12th in the NCAA, and his saves-per-game average of 11.17 ranks 14th in D-I. Ultimately, he co-led the nation in that category last season.
In addition, Heger sits third in the conference in goals-against average, having lowered his to 8.25.
No. 17 Robert Morris (4-2) hosts Sacred Heart for its NEC opener Saturday. The opening faceoff from Joe Walton Stadium is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., and admission is free.
Fans will have the opportunity to win a gift card from Moe's Southwest Grill during halftime.
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