PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Robert Morris women's lacrosse team hosts the Kent State Golden Flash this Saturday for Party on the Plaza at noon as they look to stay perfect in MAC play.
GAME #13
Robert Morris (6-6, 6-0 MAC) vs. Kent State (5-8, 2-4 MAC)
Saturday, April 9, 2022
12:00 p.m. | Moon Township, Pa. | Joe Walton Stadium
Live Stats | Live Stream | Tickets
LAST TIME OUT
The Colonials kept their perfect MAC streak alive, winning their 16th straight conference contest with a 13-8 victory over Detroit Mercy in Birmingham, Michigan. Freshman Jenna Irwin potted four goals to lead RMU in the win.
SERIES HISTORY
Robert Morris has faced off against the Golden Flash every season since the inception of the KSU program back in 2019, and so far have yet to lose, owning a 5-0 mark lifetime against Kent State. While the Colonials managed sizable 18-3 and 23-4 wins over them last season, the two met earlier this year in Ohio for a much tighter affair that saw RMU slide by with an 11-8 victory.
SCOUTING REPORT
Kent State stands at 5-8 overall on the season, including a 2-4 mark in MAC play and is coming into Joe Walton Saturday in the midst of a three-game win streak following victories over Saint Francis (Pa.), Detroit Mercy and Akron. Despite their record, KSU still boasts an offense capable of finding the back of the net with regularity, ranking third in the conference in total goals at 139. Sophomore attack Jackie Wolford currently sits fourth overall in the MAC in goal per game at 2.54.
SCORING STREAK
The Colonials saw a number of key contributors extend their scoring streak last week against the Titans. Four goals from freshman Jenna Irwin extended her team-best streak to 11 games to give her a program-leading 29 goals. Jerica Obee's second-half tally pushed her goal 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 five straight, finishing the day with a goal and an assist.
KEEP IT ROLLING
RMU extended its conference win streak to 16 games last week against Detroit and can make it 17 Saturday when Kent State comes to town. A win Saturday would also mark just the second time in program history the Colonials have started the season 7-0 in conference play after going undefeated in MAC play in 2021.
PARTY ON THE PLAZA
Saturday's game against KSU will kick off Party on the Plaza, a day-long celebration of all things Colonials lacrosse starting at 11 a.m. with a beer garden and live DJ set up on the plaza outside Joe Walton Stadium. A special recognition ceremony for both teams will also take place over the course of the afternoon, including a championship ring presentation for the RMU women's team to honor their 2021 MAC Championship and undefeated season in an on-field ceremony after the conclusion of their game against the Golden Flashes and prior to the men's home game against Bellarmine at 3:00 p.m. The afternoon will also feature specialty concessions as well as a wide selection of beer options.
MEASURING STICK
The Colonials boast a number of girls amongst the conferences best in a number of different statistical categories this season. Irwin's 29 goals are the fourth-most in the MAC and her 2.64 goals per-game average ranks third in the conference. Jerica Obee has proven one of the best distributors in the league as well, ranking sixth at 1.0 assist per game. On the other side of the field, graduate Madison Griffin has arguably been the league's stingiest defender, currently leading the MAC in both ground balls per-game (3.8) and cursed turnovers per game (2.60).
MAC AWARDS
RMU made it four straight weeks on the MAC honor roll this week when Jamie Keller was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week for her nine-save performance in goal against the Titans. Keller joins Griffin as a two-time DPOW in 2022, while Jenna Irwin earned OPOW honors earlier this season as well.
BUILDING BLOCKS
Despite the senior departures, the Colonials still return a number of key pieces from their 2021 championship campaign. Junior mid Jordan Anderson is back after a season that saw her dominate as part of RMU's draw control unit, earning All-MAC First Team honors in the process. Also returning is MAC second-team attacker Kelley Flynn, second-team midfielder Colleen Tifft, and veteran defender Madison Griffin. Tifft is RMU's leading returning scorer after a 2021 campaign that saw her post 15 goals and 28 points in 17 appearances.
BEHIND THE BENCH
Reigning MAC Coach of the Year Katrina Silva returns for her fifth season at the helm of the Colonials as head coach and tenth overall with the program. Owning a 44-22 career mark at RMU including 24-4 in conference play, Silva is joined by the returning Cacki Helmer as assistant coach, as well as first-year assistant Shea Swartwout. Swartwout recently wrapped up her playing career in the spring of 2021 after five years as a midfielder for Niagara University.
NEXT UP
RMU stays home next weekend to host Akron on Saturday, April 16 at the Joe at noon.
