Women's Lacrosse | 3/22/2019 8:51:00 AM

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- The Robert Morris University women's lacrosse team will aim to extend its winning streak to three when it hosts Radford, the second straight Big South representative to pay a visit to Joe Walton Stadium.

COLONIAL WLAX PREVIEW
ROBERT MORRIS (5-2) vs. RADFORD (1-6)
Saturday, March 23 at 12 p.m.
Joe Walton Stadium
LIVE STATS via Sidearm
LIVE VIDEO via NEC Front Row

LAST WEEK
The resurgent Colonials poured on 38 goals in downing Gardner-Webb at home and St. Bonaventure on the road. Junior Mackenzie Gandy stayed atop the Colonials' scoring list with four goals and three assists over the two games, but her twin sister Melanie took center stage with a 13-point week (8g, 5a) that earned her Northeast Conference Player of the Week accolades. Junior Meghan Crouse kicked her offensive game into gear with seven points (3g, 4a), while seniors Shannon Lynch and Kerri Sayrafe each contributed four goals across the two victories.

HISTORY LESSON
Robert Morris has never hosted Radford, but the Colonials did square off with the Highlanders last year on the road, prevailing 15-11 in Radford, Va. Then-freshman Kelley Flynn enjoyed the best day of her collegiate career, netting five goals to pull in NEC Rookie of the Week honors. Crouse had a hat trick and Lynch picked up three points as RMU pulled away with a nine-goal second half.

OPPOSITION RESEARCH
Radford rolls into Moon Township on a six-game losing streak since winning its opener against NEC foe Saint Francis (Pa.) by an 18-13 count. Coached by Haley Hardy, the Highlanders just returned from a California trip in which they lost to Fresno State and UC Davis by a combined six goals. Junior attacker Lindsay Caroll scored five goals at UC Davis, but senior Adrian Rius is also one to watch, as she paces Radford with 19 goals and 22 total points. 

TRUE FACT
Robert Morris has spread out its offense evenly through the first seven games, scoring 43 goals in the first half and 43 after the intermission, counting Sophia Eureka's overtime winner vs. Canisius on Feb. 20.

WEATHER REPORT
Spring has officially come to Pittsburgh, but temperatures will linger in the low 40s at first draw, under partly sunny skies. Expect winds in the 10-15 mph range.

SHE SAID IT
"On our defensive unit, we're all best friends. We love and support each other, and we find it in ourselves to play for each other." - Junior defender Shea McArdle on continuity paying off on the back line



KNOW BOBBY MO
Coming off three straight winning seasons in NEC play and five consecutive conference tournament berths, the Colonials enter their 15th season of Division I lacrosse with 12 players who played in all 18 games last season, including six of their top seven scorers and standout junior goalie Katelyn Miller. For more fun facts on this year's squad, 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, Feb. 25-March 3)
Clio Kerr (Defensive Player of Week - Feb. 25-March 3)
Melanie Gandy (Player of Week - March 11-17)

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

NEXT WEEK
The Colonials wrap up their non-conference schedule with a trip to Philadelphia next Saturday, March 30. They'll tangle with Drexel at 1 p.m.