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Moon Township, Pa. - After opening the month of April with its eighth overall victory of the season, the Robert Morris University men's lacrosse team earned votes in both major national polls this week.
RMU was named in the also receiving votes section of the Nike/Inside Lacrosse Media Poll as well as the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Coaches' Poll. The Colonials have now been mentioned in the national polls in seven of the eight weeks in which they have been released this season, including each of the past five.
In its second league game of the season, Robert Morris scored the game's first three goals and led from wire to wire in taking down Sacred Heart, 17-10, for the fourth-consecutive year. RMU used a key 5-0 run to take control in the second quarter as it received scores from five distinct Colonials in fewer than six minutes. With that effort, RMU scored at least 15 goals for the third straight outing, achieving that feat for the second time in program history.
Robert Morris is now 8-3 overall with each of its three setbacks having come to teams that are currently nationally ranked. The Colonials have also had to travel abundantly thus far this season as they have played nine of their first 11 games away from home.
With its offense clicking in recent weeks, Robert Morris has continued to climb in the national rankings in multiple categories. The Colonials now lead the nation in assists per game (8.82) and sit second across the country in scoring offense (13.18), trailing leader Colgate by just .18 goals per game. RMU has moved up to third in ground balls per game (36.09), another area in which it has dominated its opponents in recent outings, and fifth overall in shooting percentage (33.8). Senior Kiel Matisz (Stoney Creek, Ontario / Saltfleet) and junior Jake Hayes (Calgary, Alberta / Central Memorial) are tied for the team lead in goals with 29 and both rank among the top 25 nationally in both goals per game and points per game.
After knocking off each of its first two conference foes, Robert Morris will finish the season with three key league matchups at Joe Walton Stadium. The Colonials will face defending champion Mount St. Mary's, league runner up Quinnipiac and nationally-ranked Bryant in each of the next three weeks.
RMU will start the formidable stretch this Saturday, April 14, as it takes on the Mountaineers. The opening faceoff is set for 4:00 p.m.
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