MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The RMU women's lacrosse team fell in its regular-season finale at Akron, 14-12, on Sunday afternoon. Despite the loss, with tiebreakers over Eastern Michigan and Akron, RMU clinched the No. 1 seed and will host the 2025 MAC Championships.

The Colonials will face No. 4 seed Detroit Mercy on Thursday at 1 p.m. at Joe Walton Stadium, with the winner advancing to the MAC Championship game.

FIRST HALF
The Colonials, led by Mia Berthoff, got off to a fast start as Berthoff scored three goals in the first quarter. Vivian LaMange and Berthoff combined for the opening goal, but the Zips answered each RMU score. With the game tied at 4-4, Madison Prietz netted a free-position goal to give RMU a one-goal lead heading into the second quarter.

Offense was scarce early in the second quarter until Jenna Irwin tallied her 41st goal of the season—a career-high for the senior—at the nine-minute mark. Akron responded with two straight goals to tie the game at six. Berthoff then scored her fourth goal of the half to momentarily regain the lead, but Akron answered just before the break. The teams went into halftime tied at 7-7.

SECOND HALF
The second half opened with the teams trading goals. Vivian LaMange assisted her sister, Eliana LaMange, for Eliana's seventh goal of the season. Akron then strung together three consecutive goals to take a 10-8 lead. Eliana LaMange answered with back-to-back goals to complete her hat trick and even the score at 10-10.

Chelsea Coleman delivered a clutch free-position goal late in the third quarter, giving RMU an 11-10 lead heading into the final frame. In the fourth quarter, RMU's offense was held to a game-low three shots on goal. Akron capitalized, scoring two straight goals to retake the lead. Berthoff notched her fifth and final goal to tie the game at 12-12, but costly turnovers by RMU allowed Akron to net two more goals and seal the 14-12 victory.

CONFERENCE HOSTS
Despite the loss, RMU remains the No. 1 seed thanks to Detroit Mercy's 9-7 win over Central Michigan. RMU will share the MAC Regular Season title with Eastern Michigan and Akron, with all three finishing 4-2 in conference play. RMU will host the 2025 MAC Championships at Joe Walton Stadium. The tournament matchups are set:

• #1 RMU vs. #4 Detroit Mercy – Thursday, May 1 at 1 p.m.
• #2 Eastern Michigan vs. #3 Akron – Thursday, May 1 at 4 p.m.
• MAC Championship Game – Saturday, May 3 at 1 p.m.

UP NEXT
The Colonials will face Detroit Mercy in the MAC Championships for the second consecutive season. The winner will advance to play for the MAC Championship on Saturday afternoon.