PHILADELPHIA -- With a convincing 13-10 win over Drexel on Saturday afternoon, the Robert Morris University women's lacrosse team insured it would soar into its Northeast Conference schedule on a roll.

The Colonials held off a pair of Dragons rallies at Vidas Field, securing their fourth straight win to improve to 7-2 -- matching the program's best-ever non-conference record in 15 seasons of Division I play.

Junior Mackenzie Gandy scored her third consecutive hat trick to stay atop RMU's scoring parade, while Shannon Lynch, Meghan Crouse and Clio Kerr netted a pair each as RMU reached double-digit goals for the seventh time in nine games.

But this performance might've been the finest of the season for RMU, as it came on the road against an opponent that had also won three in a row entering the day. The unselfishness of the Colonials stood out to second-year head coach Katrina Silva in the aftermath.

"This team is really amazing," Silva said. "They care for and about each other, so when you ask people to play different roles they may not want to do it, but they do it the best they can because they understand the need of the group is more important than personal gain."

Junior Melanie Gandy was certainly in a team-oriented mood, dishing out four assists in addition to her three ground balls. And in the back, junior goalie Katelyn Miller contributed 11 saves and three ground balls to stymie a Drexel squad that pumped in 22 goals last time out. For Miller, who made her 45th straight start, it was her sixth game of the season with a save percentage over .500.

Strong offensive starts in each half were also critical; the Colonials scored four in a six-minute span to grab a 4-1 lead shortly after the opening draw, then broke a 5-5 halftime tie with a 5-0 run in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

"I felt like our team kept our energy high the entire time and didn't back down or let our heads down when the other team started to try to come back," said Kerr, who also added an assist and a team-high five draw controls. "We stayed really composed and together as a unit, to not get in our own heads and stay above it."

This was RMU's first-ever match against Drexel, which dropped to 5-5 in its final non-league game of the spring. But the Dragons are coached by former Bryant bench boss Jill Batcheller, so the Colonials knew what they were getting into when they traveled the turnpike for this one.

Namely, they were in for a true test before NEC play begins next weekend.

"Drexel had us play at an accelerated pace, which is what we were looking forward to when we scheduled the game," Silva said. "We are excited about the challenges of playing in a great conference, so we know we need to challenge ourselves in our non-conference schedule."

For a team that prides itself in defending well, holding another opponent to 10 goals or fewer had to be satisfying. Only one team has scored more than 10 against RMU this season: Radford in last Saturday's 13-12 overtime victory for the Colonials.

Kerr said allowing a goal just 13 seconds into Saturday's matchup functioned as a splash of cold water to the face.

"After the first goal came so quickly, we realized we really couldn't let them just run through our (8-meter arc)," Kerr said. "We had to work to become a much more cohesive unit, to strengthen our help on the outside and keep the ball out. Katelyn in goal had a huge game which really helped our momentum on defense."

Silva had a similar thought: "We really emphasized how we need to help each other, but also remain strong alone. Everyone needs to do their part and then work together, bringing our best through collective effort."

It'll take more of the same as the Colonials embark on their seven-game NEC schedule as March turns to April. RMU will open league play on Staten Island against Wagner next Friday at 3 p.m.