EMMITSBURG, Md. -- The opening weekend of Northeast Conference play ended in quiet fashion for the Robert Morris University women's lacrosse team, as Mount St. Mary's earned a 14-3 decision Sunday afternoon at Waldron Family Stadium. 

In a similar feel to Friday's loss to Wagner, the Colonials (7-4, 0-2 NEC) took an early lead, only to see the opposition surge into halftime on a run. RMU junior Thalia Zolis scored her first of two goals just 21 seconds after Clio Kerr won the first draw, but the Mountaineers (10-2, 2-0 NEC) netted the next six goals going into the break.

The Mount added three more consecutively to start the second half before senior Shannon Lynch and Zolis netted goals back to back to break the streak, but that was it for the attack on a temperate afternoon in central Maryland.

"We know our sets, and we know our options when we run them, but we just have to run them faster and with purpose in order to be more of an offensive threat," Zolis said. "In addition, I think finishing our shots is huge within conference play because every shot we take counts, so we really have to capitalize off the opportunities we get."

To Zolis' second point, senior Mountaineers goalie Jillian Petito stopped 10 of 13 shots. Also, the Colonials were able to generate just one free-position attempt, which Lynch converted.

On the RMU side of the turf, junior keeper Katelyn Miller kept the visitors in the game with six first-half saves. She stopped eight in all, with freshman Jamie Keller playing 15 minutes in the second half after the outcome had been decided. 

Both teams' rides had success, with RMU breaking up eight of 25 clears, while the Mount stopped seven of 19. The Mountaineers had slight edges in ground balls (18-17) and draw controls (11-8), but the home side's attack -- led by Jordan Butler (four goals) and Emily Davis (three) -- created enough scoring opportunities to stretch its win streak to seven.

As for the Colonials, they'll seek a rebound next Friday when they host Saint Francis at Joe Walton Stadium. RMU had won four straight entering conference play, but now there are some things to work on in the coming days as the first NEC home game approaches.

"Especially starting conference play, this was not the start we were looking for," Zolis said. "Now that we know what we need to work on and fix, we can use this as motivation to work hard and practice with intensity this week to get the outcome we want on Friday."

First draw against the Red Flash (3-7, 0-2) is set for 3 p.m. Attendance is free.