MOON TOWNSHIP– The Robert Morris women’s lacrosse team hosted the 20th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes at Joe Walton Stadium Saturday morning for the first time since 2007.
The Buckeyes would dominate the Colonials by a score of 15-5, falling to 1-4 on the season. The Buckeyes remain undefeated at 5-0
Ohio State scored two quick goals in the first four minutes from Leah Sax on a free position and Kate Tyack.
Mia Berthoff cut the deficit in half less than a minute later give the Colonials just one-goal deficit against the 20th-ranked team in the country.
The Colonials would make it a one-goal game with a Gia Anthony goal three minutes into the second quarter before another three-goal Buckeye barrage.
“That’s what we asked him to come out here and compete and continue to fight the way we’ve been fighting so far this season,” Grove said. “That’s what they did. I’m going to ask them to continue to do that, and it will go our way one way or the other.”
The Colonials were careless with the ball with 16 turnovers, 12 of them caused by Ohio State sticks. The Colonials now lead the MAC in total turnovers.
“We need work on sick protection in between our shoulders,” Grove said. “We have to be ready for them to be on our backs and we had to clean up a couple unforced turnovers too.”
It would be all Ohio State in the second half, putting up eight consecutive goals. RMU’s first shot of the second half would not come until 7:24 remaining on a Eliana LaMange goal.
She would score two goals in the afternoon, one of them coming off an assist from her sister, Vivian.
“I think everybody on the attacking end is playing well so far this season,” Grove said. “We’re just going to continue to grow and that’s what we have to ask them about. continue to execute together.”
Although losing by 10 goals is not a great feeling, Coach Grove had a smile on her face seeing freshman Devin Buggy score her first career goal with 1:35 remaining.
“That’s so great to see,” Grove said. “It’s always great to see a rookie get their first goal. It gives them a boost of confidence to keep doing it.”
The Colonials will travel to Canisius next Saturday, March 8 at 4 p.m.
