Detroit, Mich. - The Robert Morris University women's lacrosse team secured the 2021 Mid American Conference Championship Wednesday afternoon with a 19-5 win against Detroit Mercy.

The victory, which brings the Colonials to 12-2 on the season and 8-0 in MAC play, locks up the first conference championship in RMU program history and secures a spot for Robert Morris in the 2021 NCAA Championship in May. 

Fourteen different Colonials found the back of the net for Robert Morris Wednesday in their crowning effort of the inaugural MAC women's lacrosse season, led by sophomore Colleen Tifft with four points.  

"I couldn't be prouder of the way our depth showed up," head coach Katrina Silva said.  "That's what you want from your team, when one thing gets shut down something else picks up. I was really proud of that, we weren't playing great early on, but I credit Katelyn Miller a ton for the way she kept us in check with a few big moments. That's just the kind of leader she is."

RMU utilized its depth to its full advantage against the Titans, erupting for a 13-goal first half that saw ten different Colonials beat Detroit Mercy keeper Hannah Shrader in the opening 30 minutes of play. 

Clio Kerr took advantage of an opportunistic penalty just 57 seconds into the game, burying a free-position shot to set RMU off and running less than a minute in. 

Jordan Anderson doubled the lead two minutes later and nearly made it a 3-0 RMU advantage after a fast break down the field off the ensuing draw saw the sophomore ring her shot off the post. 

Though the Titans managed to cut it to 2-1, a timely goal from Colleen Tifft restored the two-goal lead as RMU went on a 5-0 run to take a 7-1 stranglehold on the game.  The Colonials saw two rookies get on the score sheet as Isabelle Robarge and Haley Mojsej each scored as part of the rally. 

"We earned a lot of opportunities for different people to not just be in the game but to make a difference, and that's all you can ask" Silva said.  "This is what we wanted to see, we wanted to see our team develop, we want to try and keep this honor long-term." 

Clio Kerr would complete her first-half hat trick before a Thalia Zolis free-position goal with three seconds left in the first gave RMU the 13-3 lead at the half.  

After setting up a goal in the first, Melanie Gandy finally found the nick of the net for a tally of her own just 24 seconds into the second half, keeping the white-hot RMU attack rolling right out of the break. 

With the clock running, the Colonials were able to maintain control of the pace of play through possession, methodically working through the midfield as time continued to tick down. 

Anderson's second of the day gave RMU even more breathing room before Bailey Christianson, Mackenzie Bell, and Gianna Anthony all got in on the action to put a bow on a commanding title win for the Colonials. 

Their twelfth win of the season also matches a program best, a milestone they can surpass when they return to action Saturday against Youngstown State.  

"We were all in for a championship this season," Silva said.  "We don't want to be a one-and-done, all year the focus was about these fifth-year players instilling the legacy and culture for our underclassmen to continue to help us keep this honor, and I think you saw it pay off today. This has been a long time coming and it feels good."