KENT, Ohio -- Scheduled as the first-ever home opponent for Kent State, the Robert Morris University women's lacrosse team played spoiler Saturday afternoon, scoring five of the final six goals to claim an 11-6 win at Dix Stadium.

On a frigid day in northeast Ohio, the Colonials' offense generated plenty of heat, firing 36 shots, with 30 those on goal. Freshmen Kelsey Nelson and Bailey Christianson fared the best in the finishing category, netting a pair of goals apiece, but the opener to RMU's 15th season was more of a grind-it-out affair.

"That's February lacrosse," second-year head coach Katrina Silva said afterward. "I'm happy with the number of shots we created."

RMU (1-0) seized control of the game in the opening half, building a 4-0 lead through 15 minutes and carrying a 5-1 edge into the locker room. Fledgling Kent State (0-2) scored four of the first five goals after halftime, with freshman Abby Jones completing her second hat trick in as many games, but consecutive RMU goals by junior Melanie Gandy and senior Sophia Eureka quelled the Golden Flashes' uprising in the span of a minute.

Christianson tallied a pair within two minutes in the latter stages of the second half to grow the margin to 10-5 with 6:42 to play. Victory was essentially clinched, with the late surge pleasing Silva.

"That's what you expect out of an experienced team," she said of a squad that returns 12 players who saw action in every game last season.

Eureka, who was one of four Colonials to finish with a goal and an assist, remarked that "first-game nerves" played a factor in RMU's midgame lull. Kent State had a 5-2 edge in the middle 30 minutes, when some turnovers crept into the visitors' game.

"I think once we calmed down and stuck to the plan we had today, it was good," Eureka said. "Once we worked the ball around, into our sets, it was a lot better."



While some veterans stood tall for RMU, with seniors Eureka and Shannon Lynch each recording two points, Saturday was also an afternoon for newcomers.

In addition to fine debuts for Christianson and Nelson -- who led the Colonials with three total points -- freshman Emilie Kim saw regular time in the midfield, scoring RMU's fourth goal in the process. First-year defender Elizabeth Engel also checked in, picking up a pair of ground balls to tie for the team lead.

"That was awesome," Eureka said. "We had no doubt they were gonna have a big impact."

Junior goalie Katelyn Miller wasn't tested a ton, but she held her ground when Kent State twice cut the lead to one goal early in the second half. She made seven saves in all in her 37th consecutive start for RMU.

Silva said she was "encouraged" by her team's overall defensive performance as it tries to follow up last year's outstanding results. The 2018 Colonials had the 10th-best goals-against average (9.58) in Division I.

"We're a strong unit," Eureka said. "We have (Miller) backing us up, but everyone knows what we're supposed to do. Our zone works really well together."

After they earned the program's first opening-day win since 2014, the Colonials' next challenge will be their home opener on Wednesday afternoon. Canisius pays a visit to Joe Walton Stadium, with first draw scheduled for 3 p.m.