Smithfield, R.I. - Robert Morris University women's lacrosse put up a strong effort in the second half, but suffered it's first loss in two weeks as Northeast Conference leading Bryant used a big first half to topple the Colonials on a chilly Friday night at Bryant Track and Turf Field.

In the first game back from an injury in the season-opener, sophomore Mackenzie Gandy led the Colonials in scoring with five points on a goal and four assists. Her first two assists were Gandy-to-Gandy as Mackenzie found Melanie twice in the second half. Gandy's four assists tie for 11th most in a single-game in the RMU record books.

The Colonials defense and sophomore goalkeeper Katelyn Miller held the Bulldogs off the board in the opening five minutes before Bryant broke through. The Bulldogs scored twice before junior Kerri Sayrafe struck to cut it to 2-1.

Bryant went on a tear, scoring five straight goals to end the half with a 7-1 advantage over Robert Morris. The Bulldogs made it nine in a row, stretching into the second half, before the Gandy's brought the Colonials offense to life.

Melanie Gandy scored her 14th of the season off a feed from Mackenzie with 17:09 to play in the second half. The twin duo pressed the repeat button and did it again 29 seconds later to make it a 10-3 game. Junior Sophia Eureka scored her team-leading 19th goal of the season on a free position shot to put the score at 10-4 before Bryant found the scoreboard again, this time with Lauren Britton.

Mackenzie Gandy scored her second goal of the season, first since the season opener, to pull the Colonials back within six.



Caitlyn Breglia scored two of the next three goals for the Bulldogs, one of two Bryant players to lead their team in scoring with 4 goals apiece, giving the Bulldogs a 14-5 lead.

RMU junior Shannon Lynch scored three of the game's final six goals for her third hat trick of the season, making it a 15-8 game before sophomore Meghan Crouse capped the scoring with a goal from Mackenzie Gandy with 1:51 to play.

The Colonials were sharp on the draw, particularly in the second half, thanks in part to sophomore Clio Kerr who recorded 10 draw controls, all in the second half. Crouse had 3 draws and a ground ball, while freshman Madison Griffin recorded three draws, two ground balls and caused a turnover. Melanie Gandy finished with two goals, four ground balls and a caused turnover. Kelly Colegrove led RMU defenders with a pair of ground balls. Miller finished with ten saves in goal for the Colonials, surpassing 100 saves on the season.

Robert Morris (6-8, 2-2 NEC) wraps up the three-game road stretch with a noon contest on Sunday at Central Connecticut ((LIVE VIDEO  //  LIVE STATS)), the final road game of the regular season. RMU finishes the regular season NEC slate at home next Friday and Sunday when Sacred Heart and LIU Brooklyn visit Moon Township.


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