MOON TOWNSHIP — Robert Morris was all over the place on the road this past weekend, so here is this week’s round-up to catch you up on everything that happened.

2/14/19

Men’s Basketball: RMU – 62; Mount St. Mary’s – 76

On the day that Koby Thomas returned and started for Robert Morris, RMU men’s basketball (13-13, 8-5 NEC) couldn’t bring the results that Thomas wanted after Robert Morris lost to the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers (7-19, 4-9 NEC) 76-62 on Thursday.

The first half brought a lot of energy to the Robert Morris University squad, as they jumped out to an early 10-2 lead over the Mountaineers. After the game to 12-7 RMU, the Colonials gained an additional five points to lead 17-7 at 11:25. Robert Morris got on one five-point stretch and then another five-point stretch eventually after that to lead MSM 27-20. Robert Morris was able to hold off Mount St. Mary’s at the end of the half 38-31. The half ended with a layup from Dee Barnes on a fastbreak and then two free throws from Daiman Chong Qui of the Mountaineers.

After MSM’s Barnes managed to tie the game at 43-43 each thanks to a free throw, Robert Morris and Mount St. Mary’s tied again at 45-45 each because of a jumper from Josh Williams in the paint for RMU and two free throws from Nana Opoku. After RMU barely held on to a 48-47 lead that occurred thanks to a 3-pointer from Jon Williams, Mount St. Mary’s was able to hold off RMU at a steady rate to win the game 76-62.

Softball: RMU – 0; Longwood – 2

In the first season without former RMU Director of Athletics and former head softball coach Craig Coleman, the RMU softball team (0-1) didn’t get to the best start for interim head coach Jexx Varner after they dropped game one of a doubleheader against the Longwood University Lancers (3-2) 2-0 this past Thursday in the Lancer Launch tournament.

After Jenna Dunn of Longwood walked to begin the bottom of the second inning, Jordan Clark blasted a two-run home run to left field to score two RBI for the Lancers to lead and ultimately end the game 2-0 for Longwood to take the first game.

Colonials starting pitcher Laura Coulter (0-1) ended her day with five innings pitched, two hits, two runs, two earned runs, two walks and zero strikeouts.

Softball: RMU – 1; Longwood – 4

RMU softball (0-2) didn’t fare much better in the second game of a two-game doubleheader in the Lancer Launch after the Longwood Lancers (4-2) won the game 4-1 on Thursday afternoon.

In the bottom of the first inning, a passed ball allowed by Robert Morris allowed Karleigh Donovan of Longwood to advance to third base and allow Alexis Wayland to score to lead RMU 1-0. After Wayland scored, Jenna Dunn singled to third base and got an RBI, allowing Donovan to score to lead Robert Morris 2-0 at the end of the bottom of the first inning.

The top of the third inning is where RMU got their first run scored of the season. Taryn Miller sent a baseball over the center field wall to allow Robert Morris to catch up 2-1 against the Lancers.

In the bottom half of the third inning, Kasey Carr hit a double to center field to allow Chelsea Whitcomb to advance to third base and allow Jordan Clark and Leah Powell to score and lead 4-1, gaining two more RBI in the process. RMU ended the second game of the doubleheader with a 4-1 loss.

RMU starting pitcher Dana Vatakis (0-1) allowed seven hits, four runs, four earned runs, four walks and one strikeout.

2/15/19:

Men’s Hockey: RMU – 5; Holy Cross – 3

RMU men’s hockey (10-18-1, 9-13-1 AHA) broke a five-game losing streak with a game one win against the Holy Cross Crusaders (7-18-4, 7-13-3 AHA) on Friday 5-3.

Holy Cross scored their first two goals in the first period. The first goal was scored by Logan Ferguson with assists from Dalton Skelly and Neil Robinson to lead RMU 1-0 just under the 5-minute mark. The second goal from Holy Cross was on a power play from Mitch Collett with assists from Kevin Darrar and Will Brophy to lead 2-0.

The second period saw RMU’s Eric Israel score the Colonials’ first goal with help from Alex Tonge and Michael Louria to be down 2-1. RMU tied the game near the end of the period when Michael Louria stepped up alone to score unassisted and tie the game 2-2.

Holy Cross scored their third and final goal in the third period less than two minutes into the period when Pete Kessel scored with assists from Patrick O’Leary and Skelly to lead Robert Morris 3-2. Colonials player Alex Tonge tied the game 3-3 scored near the halfway point of the period with an assist from Nolan Schaeffer. RMU scored the go-ahead goal shorthanded from Eric Israel, who had backup from Tonge. Finally, Jacob Coleman sealed the deal for the Colonials when he scored the last goal unassisted to break Robert Morris’ losing streak.

This win also gave Francis Marotte the all-time wins record with 44 and Eric Isreal became just the second defensmen in program history to score 20 career goals.

Women’s Hockey: RMU – 2; Lindenwood – 2

RMU women’s hockey (12-11-6, 10-2-3 CHA) picked up their second consecutive overtime tie after they tied with the Lindenwood University Lions (6-18-3, 2-11-2 CHA) 2-2 on Friday.

The Lions opened the scoring in the first period with a goal at 3:29 from Jada Burke with assists from Sierra Burt and Hannah Alt. Lindenwood scored their second goal later in the first period from Nicole Guagliardo at 14:21.

RMU scored their first goal in the second period with only seconds left in the period when Jaycee Gebhard scored for the Colonials at 19:25 with assists from Lexi Templeman and Amber Rennie to be down 2-1.

RMU tied the game at 2-2 at 9:29 with a goal from Rennie with assists from Templeman and Maggie Lague.

The game ended in a 2-2 tie after nobody scored in overtime.

Softball: RMU – 11; Norfolk State – 8

Robert Morris (1-2) got their first win for head coach Jexx Varner after they defeated the Norfolk State University Spartans (1-2) 11-8 in the third game of the Lancer Launch tournament.

Briana Bunner brought in Abrielle McCartney on an RBI groundout to shortstop in the top of the first to lead Norfolk State 1-0.

Spartan Kylee Lopez singled to left field to bring in Shelby DeSchamps and advance Jazzmaine Hammond to second to tie RMU 1-1 to start the bottom half of the inning. At the end of the inning, Jade Dixon brought Lopez home with an RBI walk to lead Robert Morris 2-1.

In the top of the second inning, McCartney flied out to left field and brought in Taylor Bartlow, who scored an unearned run because Bartlow reached on a fielding error, to tie the game even at 2-2.

Lopez singled to first base in the bottom of the second to bring in Hammond to lead RMU 3-2.

Madison Shiderly was able to help Robert Morris reclaim the lead at the top of the third inning to lead over Norfolk State 4-3 after she hit a two-run home run to left center field to bring herself and Bunner in.

Robert Morris’ lead fell away again after Gabby Vaughan doubled to left center to bring in Hunter Halford and Denisha Megginson singled to center field to bring Vaughan back to lead over RMU 5-4 in the bottom of the third.

The Colonials tied the game at 5-5 after RMU’s Erika Bell reached on a fielder’s choice, allowing Madison Riggle to advance to second base and allowing Kaitlyn Clark to score in the top of the fifth. RMU scored the go-ahead run after Brittney Seibert scored Madison Riggle in with an RBI walk, having RMU lead the Spartans 6-5. McCartney singled in two RBI to right center field to return Bell and Miller to the dugout and lead Norfolk State 8-5. Natalie Higgins flied out to center field to bring back Seibert for the RBI and lead 9-5.

In the top of the sixth inning, Clark scored RMU’s final two runs with a two-run home run to bring back herself and Shiderly back to home plate and lead 11-5.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Lopez doubled for the RBI to bring back Hammond to be down 11-6 for NSU. Tuli Iosefa doubled down the left field line later in the inning to bring Lopez back around the diamond, leaving NSU with a 11-7 deficit. Norfolk State stopped scoring after Vaughan returned Iosefa after she grounded out to second base for an RBI groundout and be down 11-8.

Neither team scored in the seventh inning and ended it with a 11-8 RMU victory.

Madison Riggle took the game victory and allowed six hits, three runs, three earned runs, two walks and one strikeout.

Softball: Delaware State – 1; RMU – 7

RMU softball (2-2) finished out the final game of the Lancer Launch tournament out strong after defeating the Delaware State University Hornets 7-1.

Natalie Higgins scored in the bottom of the first inning with a homer to left center lead DSU 1-0.

In the bottom of the second inning, Taryn Miller singled to score Madison Riggle and lead 2-0. Brittney Seibert singled to right field to score Miller and lead 3-0 over DSU. Higgins grounded to second for an RBI groundout and scored Seibert back to lead 4-0. Later in the inning, Briana Bunner scored Abrielle McCartney back with a double to left center to lead 5-0 by the end of the second inning.

Delaware State scored their only RBI in the top of the third inning when Jaelyn Baker singled to score Jonah Cunnigan to be down 5-1.

Erika Bell capped off the running game for Robert Morris with a double to left field to score Miller and Riggle.

RMU softball starts the Wings Etc. Classic on February 23 against the North Carolina Central University Eagles (1-5) in Spartanburg, S.C. at 11 a.m.

2/16/19:

Men’s Lacrosse: RMU – 11; Georgetown – 14

RMU men’s lacrosse (0-2) faltered against the Georgetown Hoyas (2-0) on Saturday 14-11.

Robert Morris jumped out to an early 3-1 lead in the first quarter because of goals from Eddie Smith, Ryan Smith and Shane Majewski. Jake Carraway and Robert Clark tied the game at 3-3 on Georgetown’s end to send the game back to square one. Trey Arnold and Daniel Bucaro each scored for RMU and Georgetown to tie again at 4-4. Corson Kealey and Ryan Smith scored to end the first quarter 6-4.

The only action in the second quarter was Georgetown’s Patrick Aslanian scoring for the Hoyas to bring them to a 6-5 deficit against the Colonials.

Jake Boudreau and Tyson Gibson each scored for RMU and Lucas Wittenberg and Dylan Watson scored for the Hoyas, with Wittenberg scoring twice to tie the game at 8-8. Brad McCulley and Daniel Bucaro scored for RMU and Georgetown respectively to end the third quarter at 9-9.

Ryan Smith and McCulley each scored for the Colonials and Massimo Bucci, Carraway, Bucaro (scored twice) and Wittenberg scored for the Hoyas to win over the Colonials 14-11.

The Colonials return to RMU to host the Bellarmine University Knights (0-3) in their home opener on Saturday Feb. 23 at 12 p.m.

Women’s Lacrosse: RMU – 11; Kent State – 6

RMU women’s lacrosse (1-0) started the 2019 season off on strong terms after they defeated the Kent State University Golden Griffins (0-1) on Saturday.

Kelsey Nelson, Hannah Miller, Clio Kerr and Emilie Kim each scored to start the first half for the Colonials to lead 4-0. Lluna Katz gave the Golden Griffins their first goal of the year to be down 4-1 against RMU. Shannon Lynch scored to end the half to lead over Kent State 5-1.

Abby Jones and Katz each scored multiple times and Graceyn Dean scored once for Kent State and Nelson, Melanie Gandy, Sophia Eureka, Bailey Christianson and Mackenzie Gandy each scored for RMU to end the game with a 11-6 victory over Kent State.

RMU plays the Canisius Golden Griffins (0-1) at home to play in their regular season opener on Wednesday Feb. 20 at 3 p.m. at Joe Walton Stadium.

Men’s Basketball: RMU – 69; Saint Francis – 72

Robert Morris men’s basketball (13-14, 8-6 NEC) took their third consecutive loss against the Saint Francis University Red Flash (14-11, 10-4 NEC) 72-69 on Saturday.

Saint Francis jumped out to an early 6-2 lead to start the first half. After Matty McConnell scored a 3-pointer to decrease Robert Morris’ deficit to 6-5, SFU went on a 12-point run to lead over RMU 18-5. Yannis Mendy later was able to get Robert Morris to tie SFU at 22-22 thanks to a layup. The Red Flash held off Robert Morris long enough to end the half with a 38-28 lead.

The Colonials opened up the second half with a layup from Koby Thomas and three-pointer from Josh Williams to be down against the Red Flash 38-33. SFU was scoring at a constant rate to get as high as 49-36 that was achieved thanks to a layup from Keith Braxton in the paint. Robert Morris scored seven more points to get to a six-point difference and be down against the Red Flash 49-43. The Colonials and Red Flash duked it out enough to get RMU’s lead to a tie at 64-64 with less than five minutes left in the game. Saint Francis jumped back out to the lead and won the game 72-69 on Saturday.

Women’s Basketball: RMU – 55; Mount St. Mary’s – 61

RMU women’s basketball (14-9, 11-1 NEC) had their 11-game winning streak in conference play broken up after the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers (11-12, 5-7 NEC) defeated the Colonials 61-55 on Saturday.

The Colonials jumped out to an early 6-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to a free throw from Nia Adams, two layups from Nneka Ezeigbo and a free throw from Isabella Posset. RMU and MSM later tied the game in the quarter at 8-8. The Mountaineers gained four more points due to two layups to lead 12-8 over RMU. Posset sparked an offensive spark to help the Colonials tie with MSM at 16-16 at the end of the quarter.

Mount St. Mary’s scored five points to start the second quarter to lead RMU 21-16. Robert Morris took over the lead briefly after scoring an eight-point run to lead over MSM 24-21. The Colonials ended the quarter with a narrow 29-26 lead.

After RMU and MSM each scored to start the third quarter, the Colonials eventually worked their way to a 41-33 lead. The Mountaineers scored six more points to lead 41-39. The Colonials ended the quarter with a 43-42 lead over MSM.

Rebecca Lee scored a layup to bring Mount St. Mary’s within one point, but the Colonials tied the game at 44-44 and later 46-46. The Colonials ended up losing the game 61-55 to the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers on Saturday.

RMU travels to Saint Francis to play the Red Flash (12-12, 9-3 NEC) on Monday Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.

Men’s Hockey: RMU – 0; Holy Cross – 2

RMU men’s hockey (10-19-1, 9-14-1 AHA) went back to their losing ways after they lost the second game against the Holy Cross Crusaders (8-18-4, 8-13-4 AHA) 2-0 on Saturday.

Holy Cross didn’t start scoring until the second period when Michael Laffin scored with assists from Dalton Skelly and Spencer Trapp at 16:12 to lead 1-0 over the Colonials.

The second and final goal from the Crusaders didn’t come until 10 seconds left in the game when Anthony Vincent scored unassisted at 19:50 in the third period to win the game and split the series for Holy Cross.

RMU travels to Rochester, N.Y. to play their second-to-last set of the season against the RIT Tigers (14-13-3, 12-9-3 AHA) on Friday Feb. 22 and Saturday Feb. 23, both games start at 7:05 p.m.

Women’s Hockey: RMU – 1; Lindenwood – 6

RMU women’s hockey (12-12-6, 10-3-3 CHA) endured Lindenwood’s revenge on Saturday, taking a 6-1 loss at the hands of the Lions (7-18-3, 3-11-2 CHA).

Megan Wagner scored for Lindenwood less than five minutes into the first period with assists from Kayla Martinez and Cierra Paisley to lead RMU 1-0. Jada Burke gave a bigger advantage to the Lions after she scored at 8:36 with assistance from Erin Near to advance Lindenwood to a 2-0 lead.

Robert Morris got their lone goal at 7:54 in the second period on a power play from Sarah Lecavalier to be behind 2-1, who had Jaycee Gebhard and Lexi Templeman to assist her. Courtney Ganske scored at 14:22 with assists from Nikki Friesen and Taylor Kirwan to lead over Robert Morris 3-1. Lindenwood scored another goal on a power play at 17:29 from Sierra Burt with help from Megan Wagner and Hannah Alt to lead 4-1.

Lindenwood added another goal in the third period from Nicole Guagliardo with an assist from Taylor Kirwan at 14:43. Lions player Burt finished Robert Morris off with an unassisted goal at 17:43 to win it 6-1.

Robert Morris returns home on February 22 at 7:05 p.m. and February 23 at 3:05 p.m. to host Mercyhurst University (12-12-5, 9-5-2 CHA).