Philadelphia, Pa. – The Robert Morris University men's lacrosse team made up a five-goal halftime deficit, but it would be Drexel who would put together the final surge as the Dragons defeated the Colonials, 19-13, this afternoon from Vidas Field. RMU falls to 3-5 with the defeat, while Drexel moves to 3-2.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Down 10-5 at halftime, RMU stormed back with six consecutive goals to begin the third quarter. Brandon Sulhoff started it off with his second of five goals this afternoon, then Austin Popovich cashed in on the fastbreak less than a minute later. Those two struck again shortly after, as Sulhoff corralled a ricochet and buried a shot and Popovich converted at the doorstep with 10:36 remaining in the frame. Two minutes and some change passed before the Colonials had the equalizer, as Ryan Smith unleashed a rocket from the top of the key. 26 seconds later, Sulhoff gave the visitors their first lead after Steven DelleMonache set him up on the faceoff.
SULLY SCORES FIVE
Junior attack Brandon Sulhoff established a new career-high for goals this afternoon, scoring five in the defeat. The 2019 All-Northeast Conference (NEC) Rookie Team selection entered the day with just three tallies to his name this season, scoring once at Notre Dame and twice against Bellarmine. Sulhoff's five surpassed his previous standard of four, set in last year's home opener versus High Point on Feb. 29, 2020. The Owings, Md. native now has four career hat tricks, previously posting three in the abbreviated 2020 campaign.
A GAME OF RUNS
Drexel had the last laugh following RMU's 6-0 third-quarter blitz, answering it with six straight goals between the third and fourth frames. The Dragons opened the contest with a 4-0 lead, scoring all of those within the opening 2:17. Brandon Sulhoff's fifth stopped the bleeding with 9:26 to go and cut the deficit to 16-12, but the hosts would net three of the final four tallies to secure the win.
RYAN RUNS DOWN RECORDS
Graduate attack Ryan Smith posted his seventh hat trick of the season today, cutting the gap to seven points between him and record holder Trevor Moore (2008-11) on the RMU all-time list. Smith has now accumulated 188 points on 121 goals and 67 assists, and also is 13 scores shy of match Moore's goal record of 134. The Burlington, Ontario native ranks third all-time in goals and fourth in assists, games played (64), and games started (54).
IN THE NUMBERS
In addition to Sulhoff and Smith's contributions, both graduate students Austin Popovich (2g, 2a) and Jimmy Perkins (2g, 1a) recorded multiple points for the Colonials. Perkins also led the visitors with three caused turnovers, while senior midfielder Jake Boudreau collected a team-high seven groundballs. Freshman faceoff specialist Steven DelleMonache paced RMU at the X, winning 8-of-19 attempts, and sophomore goalkeeper Liam Rosenthal made 14 saves.
NEXT UP
RMU completes a four-game trip away from Moon Township next Saturday, April 3 at noon against Jacksonville in the Crown Lacrosse Classic. Held at Fort Mill High School in Rock Hill, S.C., this marks the second straight year that the Colonials and Dolphins have played on a neutral field.
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