BIRMINGHAM, Mich. - The Robert Morris women's lacrosse team extended their conference win streak to 16 consecutive games Saturday with a win over Detroit Mercy, taking down the host Titans 13-8. The victory lifts RMU to 6-0 in MAC play and 6-6 on the season.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
The Colonials took control of the game from the opening draw Saturday, racing out to a 7-1 lead over the opening two quarters of action to keep the Titans at arms' length. Kelsey Nelson kick-started the action for the Colonials, scoring back to back goals in the span of 3:49 to get RMU on the board and off and running offensively. While the Titans got one back shortly after Nelson's second, the Colonials continued to pepper the Titans net, earning a third goal from Jordan Anderson before the first quarter was up. RMU kept its foot on the gas to start the second when Jenna Irwin and Lucy Hess beat DM keeper Meredith Leavell twice in ten seconds to make it a 5-1 RMU lead. Back-to-back free position goals from Irwin helped push it to 7-1 at the half.
FAMILIAR FACES
Freshman attack Jenna Irwin stepped up with a huge performance Saturday, leading the Colonials with four goals on the day on a team-best five shots on goal. Irwin now leads RMU with 29 goals and extended her scoring streak to 11 games, having found the back of the nest in every matchup since RMU's season opener at Ohio State. Jerica Obee's second-half tally pushed her goals streak to seven games, while a pair for Colleen Tifft made it eight straight with a goal for the junior. Fellow junior Julia Koterwas also extended her goal streak to fives straight, finishing the day with a goal and an assist.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
The Titans managed a significant response in the second half, out-scoring RMU 7-6 over the final 30 minutes to keep the game close after what was a commanding first-half performance from the Colonials. Two quick DM tallies to start the third including a FP goal from Taryn McManus chipped away at the RMU lead before Chelsea Coleman buried a FP tally of her own to give the Colonials eight, however the Titans continued to press. Annie Gilbert managed to cut the Colonial lead down to three at 8-5 with just over five minutes to go in the third, however Detroit Mercy could not find a way to sustain their momentum on the counter. Responses from Jerica Obee and Colleen Tifft put RMU back ahead by five before the third was up, and while the Titans continued to pester the Colonial defense, Robert Morris was able to manage a quick response every time the Titans scored, coming back with goals of their own until they were able to run out the clock and secure a 13-8 win.
NEXT UP
The Colonials return home to the Joe next Saturday, April 9 for Party on the Plaza when they take on Kent State at noon. The Colonials will also be presented with their 2021 MAC Championship rings in a special on-field ceremony before the RMU men's team takes on Bellarmine at 3:00 p.m.
