Women's Lacrosse | 2/26/2019 6:46:00 AM

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- For the fifth time in seven seasons, the non-conference schedule for the Robert Morris University women's lacrosse team includes Liberty.

The Flames of the Atlantic Sun Conference will provide opposition at 3 p.m. Wednesday, as the Colonials play their second of eight home games in 2019.

COLONIAL WLAX PREVIEW
ROBERT MORRIS (2-0, 0-0 NEC)
vs. LIBERTY (3-1, 0-0 ASUN)

Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 3 p.m.
Joe Walton Stadium
Moon Township, Pa.

LIVE VIDEO via NEC Front Row 
LIVE STATS via Sidearm

LAST TIME OUT
In last Wednesday's home opener, Robert Morris jumped out to an early 5-2 lead against Canisius, but it took overtime to vanquish the Golden Griffins by an 11-10 count. Senior Sophia Eureka capped RMU's first-ever victory in 11 matchups against Canisius with a solo mission down the left sideline, following up a free-position save from junior Katelyn Miller that kept the Colonials alive. Junior Mackenzie Gandy paced the offense with three goals and three assists, with her twin Melanie Gandy scoring three and assisting on two. Mackenzie Gandy and Miller earned Northeast Conference weekly honors for their performances.

HISTORY LESSON
The Colonials and Flames have met four times previous, starting in 2013. RMU won the first three meetings -- including two at home -- before falling 14-9 to Liberty in Lynchburg, Va., last February. Eureka scored four goals in last year's meeting, while Miller made 13 saves. Two years ago, then-sophomore Shannon Lynch picked up two points (1g, 1a) in RMU's 13-10 win at home.

OPPOSITION RESEARCH
Liberty posted a 13-5 overall record in 2018, with a 6-1 mark in Big South action. But a loss to Winthrop in the league semifinals prevented the Flames from going out on a high note before jumping to the Atlantic Sun. Head coach Kelly Nangle's squad is off to a fine start in her sixth season, with a 14-10 defeat to No. 20 Notre Dame last week serving as the only blemish so far. Liberty led Division I in caused turnovers per game last year, so RMU should expect a high-pressure ride in this one.

WEATHER REPORT
Temperatures in the mid-to-upper 40s are expected at game time, with a slight chance of rain and a light breeze.

THEY SAID IT
"It's an honor and a privilege. I work hard, and I think it pays off in the end. I think it's nice to continue to come out and start every week." - Miller on making 38 straight starts to begin her NCAA career



KNOW BOBBY MO
• Miller, who set a program single-season record in 2018 with a 9.58 goals-against average, currently leads all NEC goalies with a .529 save percentage. She is second in the league with a 7.70 GAA.

• Last Wednesday's sudden-death win decision the first overtime win for RMU since the 2014 season, a span of four extra-time results. The Colonials' previous OT win was a 9-8 victory over NEC foe Central Connecticut on April 13, 2014.

• Speaking of 2014, that's the last time Robert Morris started 2-0. That edition of the Colonials stretched its hot start to 4-0 and eventually finished non-conference play at 6-3. RMU's best record entering NEC play all-time was in 2015, when it went 7-2 out of league.

• RMU's attack has been well-balanced so far, with eight players boasting multiple goals and 10 with multiple points. Mackenzie Gandy is tied for the team lead in goals (four) and has the solo lead in assists (four).

• Junior Clio Kerr has a couple of goals, but she's done well to generate extra possessions for the Colonials as well, leading the team in draw controls (10) and caused turnovers (four).

• Four returning players started all 18 games last season, and all of them play defense: Juniors Shea McArdle, Madison Burke and Kelly Colegrove, plus sophomore Katie Martin. All four have played in both games so far.

• RMU was picked to finish fourth in the NEC in the preseason coaches' poll, with Bryant (first), Wagner (second) and Mount St. Mary's (third) rounding out the top half of the projected standings.

• The nine-member junior class is the largest cohort on the team. Coming into the season, this group has participated in 20 wins so far at RMU, the second-best two-season stretch in team history.

• For more fun facts on the 15th season of RMU women's lacrosse, click here.

STERLING SILVA
Entering her second season in charge of the Colonials, Katrina Silva brings 12 years of Division I head coaching experience to the table. Before taking over the program in 2018, Silva served as an RMU assistant coach for five years and a volunteer assistant for one.

Previous to her time in Moon Township, Silva led the lacrosse programs at Virginia Tech (four years) and Colgate (seven), in addition to Division III Roanoke College. A goalie in her playing days, she was the 1993 Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year for Towson.

HONOR ROLL
The following Colonials have earned NEC weekly awards this season:
Katelyn Miller (Defensive Player of Week - Feb. 18-24)
Mackenzie Gandy (Player of Week - Feb. 18-24)

FOLLOW THE COLONIALS
In addition to reports and videos on RMUColonials.com, check out Twitter and Instagram for news and updates throughout the season.

NEXT UP
The Colonials will hit the road for the second time when they travel to Lewisburg, Pa., to square off with frequent foe Bucknell on Saturday. RMU has taken on the Bison in the past two years and seven times overall. First draw is set for 3 p.m.