Women's Lacrosse | 3/28/2019 8:50:00 PM

PHILADELPHIA -- Two surging teams meet in the southeastern corner of Pennsylvania this Saturday, when Robert Morris University women's lacrosse takes on Drexel for the first time in program history. Both sides have won three in a row as they prepare for the start of their respective league schedules on the first weekend of April.

COLONIAL WLAX PREVIEW
ROBERT MORRIS (6-2) at DREXEL (5-4)
Saturday, March 30 at 3 p.m.
Vidas Field, Philadelphia, Pa.
LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO

LAST WEEK
RMU stretched its season-long win streak to three last Saturday with an exciting come-from-behind 13-12 win against visiting Radford. Junior Mackenzie Gandy kept up her near-record scoring pace with a five-goal, seven-point performance against the Highlanders, highlighted by the overtime winner.

Her twin sister Melanie racked up six points (3g, 3a), including the game-tying goal in the final two minutes of regulation. Fellow classmate Clio Kerr put up another all-around performance, scoring a critical late goal to go with four draw controls, three caused turnovers and three ground balls.

HISTORY LESSON
Not only have the Colonials never faced Drexel, this will be their first-ever matchup against any team from the Colonial Athletic Association. A seven-team league for women's lacrosse, the CAA consists of Drexel, James Madison, Hofstra, Delaware, William & Mary, Elon and Towson.

However, there will familiar faces on the home sideline, as former Bryant head coach Jill Batcheller has brought her staff along with her as she takes over the Dragons.

OPPOSITION RESEARCH
Last Saturday, Drexel returned home for the first time in two weeks, taking down RMU's NEC rival Central Connecticut by the record-setting final score of 22-4. The Dragons set a program record for offense, with eight players scoring multiple goals -- led by junior Jamie Schneidereith's four-spot.

A pair of sophomores pace Drexel offensively, with Colleen Grady accumulating 18 goals and 30 total points, while Karson Harris has 17 goals and 26 points. The Dragons have already surpassed their win total from last season, when they went 4-12 overall and 1-5 in the CAA.

TRUE FACT
Robert Morris has won two overtime games in the same season for the first time since 2014, when the Colonials defeated Oregon at home and Central Connecticut on the road. Previous to this season, RMU had dropped three consecutive extra-time decisions. 

WEATHER REPORT
It's expected to be a warm spring afternoon in Philly, with Saturday's temperatures climbing into the low 70s and winds predicted to be in the 10-20 mph range.

SHE SAID IT
Sophomore midfielder Hannah Miller on ...

What she likes about this year's squad: "There's a bond on and off the field. We're always together and I think it's translating. We work well with each other and know each other's moves. I just think everyone's playing awesome right now."

Why she's on pace to surpass last year's totals in goals, ground balls and caused turnovers:  "I would say it's just confidence. Coaches are pushing me to play to my potential, giving me the confidence that I needed." 

What it's like to play in two overtime games: "It's very fun, but it's obviously stressful because you want to win the game. Each overtime we've gone into, I've just been very confident. I have a lot of faith in my teammates" 

What she expects against Drexel: "It's going to be a hard-fought game for both of us. I'm excited to see our last game going into conference (play). We can come out of this with a win if we stick to our fundamentals."

Watch the full interview here:



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.

IRISH EYES ARE SMILIN'
Junior midfielder Clio Kerr and assistant coach Cacki Helmer have been chosen to represent Ireland in the upcoming European Championship this summer in Israel. Kerr, whose father was born in Ireland, will be one of the youngest players on the squad, while Helmer will serve as head coach following a few years as an assistant for the national team.

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 begin their seven-game Northeast Conference schedule with a two-game trip to Wagner (Friday, April 5) and Mount St. Mary's (Sunday, April 8).