The Robert Morris University Colonials Men’s Lacrosse team may be the best second half team in the NEC, but in the first half they cannot seem to find a way to score. RMU fell to the Bryant Bulldogs on Saturday 13 to 12, turning a blowout defeat into a heartbreaking loss.

The Bulldogs started off the game on a 6-­0 run in the first quarter, leading to an 8­-2 halftime score. The first half was filled with sloppy Colonials passing and poor shooting. Robert Morris went into the second half with 12 turnovers already on the board, almost double the Bulldogs’ total.

The second half looked like an entirely different RMU team against a Bulldog team who now seemed to have no answer. The Colonials scored four straight in the middle of the third quarter to bring the Bryant lead down to two. The momentum was in the hands of the Colonials, and even with the deficit, the crowd at Joe Walton Stadium knew the game was shifting in favor of their Colonials.

Robert Morris had possession of the ball with 33 seconds remaining and a 13-­12 score, with hopes that a goal would send them to overtime. The Colonials ran the play they wanted, got the open shot, and it was sent to net by leading scorer Luke Laszkiewicz. But all glimmers of hope were taken away when the shot was saved by Bryant goalie Gunnar Waldt. Bryant cleared the ball out and watched the clock wind down in the victory that was too close for comfort.

This crushing defeat puts Robert Morris’ record to 4­-6 on the season and 2-­1 in conference.

If Bryant continues their high level of play, that loss could be key in deciding the conference champion at the end of the season.

The Colonials will need to return to their winning ways next week at Hobart in order to maintain their spot on top of the conference standings.