PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Robert Morris University women's lacrosse team is off to its best start in program history following a 23-4 win over Kent State Friday afternoon on Senior day at Joe Walton Stadium. The win moved them to 11-2 overall and a perfect 5-0 in MAC Play.
RMU saw 13 different players record at least a goal, while eight found the net multiple times led by hat tricks from Mackenzie Gandy and Melanie Gandy. The 23 goals for the Colonials is the most they've scored since burying 24 against Howard on February 28, 2015.
"The seniors paved the way. This class has always been lead-by example, and you saw that again today," head coach Katrina Silva said. "They're leaving a legacy that they should be really proud of, and it's going to be hard to lose a lot of them, but I'm more confident than ever that the games will stay the same even if the people change."
After giving up the opening goal just 1:59 off the opening draw to KSU's Jackie Wolford, the Colonials woke up and soon rattled off a dominant 7-1 run to take a stranglehold of the Flash in the first half.
Melanie Gandy potted the first of three first half goals to tie things up at 1-1 before two quick goals from Colleen Tifft and Mackenzie Gandy within a span of 45 seconds made it a 3-1 lead for the Colonials.
Jordan Anderson helped the Colonials keep their foot on the gas with a dominant eleven draw controls in the opening half of play, allowing RMU to quickly get back on the attack with speed and possession through the midfield after each goal.
"They didn't have an answer for Jordan today," Silva said. "It eliminates the refs, it eliminates a lot of the defensive work that goes unnoticed and it gets the ball back on offense and really keeps your attack in a rhythm."
Thalia Zolis made the most of a pair of free-position attempts, burying both as RMU raced out to a 14-3 lead.
Freshman Mackenzie Bell's first career goal with 34 seconds remaining capped off a dominant first half for RMU.
RMU was once again able to take full advantage of their depth in the second, getting nearly everyone in the game with the Flash comfortably at arm's length.
Bailey Christianson scored her third of the year to push it to an 18-3 lead as RMU enjoyed a running clock throughout the entire second half.
Julia Davies potted her first career goal with 2:18 left to play to put the cherry on top of a Senior Day win for the Colonials.
RMU finished with a 22-5 advantage on draws as well a 44-12 edge in total shots.
"We know what we need to do the rest of the way this season," Silva said. "We like to say that our best opponent is ourselves. We want to give it our best effort, and today I thought we did that and things started to really come together for us."
