MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Top-seeded Robert Morris (12-3, 7-0 NEC) kicks off its postseason title defense this Thursday, April 30, facing VMI (7-6, 4-3 NEC) in the semifinal round of the 2026 NEC Championship. The Colonials and Keydets are scheduled for a 5 p.m. faceoff at Joe Walton Stadium, with the broadcast available live on ESPN+ featuring Jack Ridenour and Spencer Witt. A victory would propel RMU into the title game on May 2 at 4 p.m. against the winner of the LIU and Cleveland State matchup.
 
DYLAN DOMINATES           
Dylan Anderson put together a performance for the record books, taking home NEC Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year honors. Anderson becomes the first player in league history to claim all three awards simultaneously. He is the fifth player in program history to be named NEC Player of the Year, joining Bo Columbus (2025), Tyson Gibson (2019), Kiel Matisz (2012), and Trevor Moore (2010, 2011). Anderson stands as the first freshman in NEC history to earn Player of the Year honors and is the first RMU player to be named Rookie of the Year. Additionally, he is the second Colonial to be named Offensive Player of the Year, following David Burr (2025).
 
TERRIFIC TAPPER                
Owen Tapper earns the distinction of being the second Colonial named Defensive Player of the Year, joining Zach Bryant (2018). His selection to the First Team marks the second consecutive year Tapper has received All-Conference honors.
 
COACH OF THE YEAR                         
After leading RMU to the program's first outright regular-season title since 2012, Craig McDonald was named the NEC Coach of the Year. This accolade serves as McDonald's first NEC Coach of the Year award and the third overall for the program, joining Andrew McMinn (2012, 2017).
 
EVEN MORE NEC HONORS               
In addition to the major awards, nine Colonials were recognized across the All-Conference lists. The NEC First Team was headlined by Anderson and Tapper, who were joined by Ben Eck, Nate Fechter, Elijah Edwards, and Nathan Ruff.

The NEC Second Team featured three more RMU standouts in Calum Brennan, Joel McCormick, and Liam Blakely. Anderson also earned a spot on the NEC All-Rookie Team alongside teammate Koerner Marechek.
 
RMU LATELY                        
The Colonials enter the postseason riding a program-best 11-game winning streak after a 16-6 victory over Wagner on April 25. RMU currently ranks third in the NCAA with 37.8 ground balls per game and boasts the nation's 11th-best scoring defense, holding opponents to just 12.4 goals per game. Individually, Tapper sits seventh in the NCAA with 2.27 caused turnovers per game, while Fechter anchors the unit with a .561 save percentage and a 9.76 goals-against average, ranking ninth and 15th nationally, respectively.
 
VMI LATELY         
VMI enters the postseason on a high note after defeating Detroit Mercy 14-5 on April 25, marking its third straight victory. The Keydets were powered by Ethan Ostrowski, who earned both NEC Player and Rookie of the Week honors following a standout five-goal performance. Defensively, Adam Norris was tabbed as the NEC Defensive Player of the Week after anchoring the unit with a 14-save effort against the Titans.

RMU AND VMI HISTORY   
The Colonials hold a 6-2 lead in the all-time series against the Keydets. The rivalry dates back to 2005, when VMI secured an 11-10 overtime victory in the inaugural meeting. After playing annually from 2005 to 2010, the series resumed last year following both teams joining the NEC.
 
RMU AND VMI LAST TIME
Led by Anderson's four goals and two assists, RMU tied a program record with its eighth consecutive win in a 20-9 victory over VMI on April 4. Eleven different Colonials found the back of the net, supported by Fechter's 11 saves and a dominant 20-of-29 performance at the face-off circle by Cristian Davis. Defensively, Tapper caused four turnovers to help the Colonials remain undefeated in conference play.
 
COMMON OPPONENTS    
Outside of conference play, the only common opponent for both programs this season is High Point, as the Keydets' scheduled season-opener against St. Bonaventure was canceled. Robert Morris secured a gritty 8-7 double-overtime victory against the Panthers on February 23, fueled by four goals from Anderson and Eck's game-winner. Conversely, VMI fell to High Point 19-11 in its season debut on February 7.
 
Follow The Colonials: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | LinkedIn | RMU Athletics Gameday App