Charlottesville, Va. – In a rematch of an NCAA Tournament First Round contest from 2019, the Robert Morris University men's lacrosse team pushed defending champion Virginia to the brink but the No. 9 Cavaliers would prevail, 14-12, this afternoon from Klӧckner Stadium. RMU drops to 3-4 with the loss, while Virginia moves to 6-2 overall.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Down 7-4 at halftime, RMU used a 5-3 third quarter to pull within one entering the final frame. Jimmy Perkins started the run with an effort goal, getting knocked down before he finished at the doorstep and after to make it 7-5. Perkins then found Ryan Smith loose in front to answer a Virginia tally, and Corson Kealey converted on the fastbreak after a successful ride. Just 17 seconds later, Ryan Smith made it a one-goal game after a Steven DelleMonache faceoff win, and that gap returned with 2:42 on the clock after a Will Johansen goal.
JIMBO SLICE
Graduate attack Jimmy Perkins was the catalyst offensively for the upset-minded Colonials, recording a team-high seven points on a hat trick and four assists. Perkins eclipsed 100 points in a RMU uniform with his first helper, becoming the 17th player in program history to reach the milestone, and now needs four more tallies to reach 100 NCAA goals. The seventh-year Pittsburgh product scored all three of his goals in the second half, netting a pair in the final minutes with the Colonials pushing towards a comeback.
FOUR'S UP
RMU's confidence grew throughout the third quarter and it carries into the opening stages of the fourth. Liam Rosenthal kept it 10-9 on Virginia's first possession, making a save on an Ian Laviano attempt. Shaun Vines and James Christoforatos maintained the one-goal deficit by causing turnovers on consecutive possessions, and the Colonials would capitalize with 12:24 remaining as Kealey cashed in on the doorstep to tie it at 10-10. Another caused turnover – this one by Evan Hellmich – gave RMU a chance to take the lead, but Virginia's defense would toughen and forced a shot-clock violation. That led to a Dox Aitken tally with 9:05 on the clock, sparking a 4-0 run for the Cavaliers to make it 14-10. Perkins scored twice to cut the deficit to 14-12 with 1:46 remaining, but that would be the final score as Virginia would win the ensuing faceoff and run down the clock.
RYAN RUNS DOWN RECORDS
Graduate attack Ryan Smith posted his sixth hat trick in seven games, providing the Colonials with five points (3g, 2a) in all. With 185 career points (118g, 67a), Smith is now 10 shy of matching the program record established by Trevor Moore (195; 2008-11) and 16 away from his goal standard of 134. The Burlington, Ontario native also ranks fourth all-time at RMU in assists, fifth in games played (63), and sixth in games started (53). His first-quarter goal today also extended a personal streak of 15 consecutive games with at least one goal, while the longest active streak in that department – 65 games by Virginia's Charlie Bertland – came to an end.
HATS OFF
Senior attack Corson Kealey registered the 13th hat trick of his career this afternoon and now is three goals shy of breaking into the top 10 at RMU in that department. Kealey's trio of tallies is the third time he reached that mark this season, previously accomplishing it at Duke and Colgate. The Ottawa, Ontario product has scored at least once in all seven games this season and now owns seven career goals against Virginia, previously netting four in the 2019 NCAA Tournament First Round.
IN THE NUMBERS
RMU owned a 52-35 advantage in shot attempts and finished 22-of-25 on clear attempts compared to Virginia's 15-of-21 performance. The Cavaliers topped the Colonials in groundballs, 43-31, and won 23-of-28 faceoff clashes. Perkins' seven points led all players, while Payton Cormier scored a game-high five goals for the hosts.
NEXT UP
RMU returns to action on Saturday, April 3 at 3:00 p.m. when it plays Jacksonville in the Crown Lacrosse Classic. Held at Fort Mill High School in Rock Hill, S.C., this marks the second consecutive year that the Colonials and Dolphins have played on a neutral field.
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