Moon Township — Bobby Mo sports have been heating up lately! Scintillating storylines mixed with high performances have led to several teams’ success. While other teams find themselves in the crunch trying to salvage what they can. Finally, the weather might still be grim, but spring sports aren’t letting it get in their way as their seasons have commenced. Find out what’s happening around RMU sports right here!
Folgueiras, Colonials Keep Rolling, Extends Win Streak to Four
The Robert Morris Men’s Basketball team continued their impressive run of form, extending their win streak to four after wins over Cleveland State and Purdue Fort Wayne last week. With the wins, the Colonials now sit second in the tightly contested Horizon League, and half-game out of first behind Cleveland State.
Alvaro Folgueiras continued to build a case for him being a Horizon League Player of the Year candidate. The Spaniard averaged 20.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last week, earning him his second consecutive player of the week award, and his third this year.
Things are bright for the Colonials. Andy Toole’s men currently rest with a 20-8 record overall, the sixth time Toole has reached that threshold in his career.
He’ll look to keep his team focused as they face last place Green Bay and fourth placed Milwaukee this week. Games are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, February 21 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 23.
Women’s Basketball Squeezes Out Close Wins Over IU Indy and Northern Kentucky
Before this season started, RMU’s Women’s Basketball team was voted to be last in the Horizon League’s preseason poll. Today, the team sits fourth, and while they haven’t had the best statistical season, the team has shown strength in mental and physical toughness, which has guided them to this point.
Last week the Colonials took care of business, beating the IU Indy Jaguars by three at home and followed that up with another win, taking down Northern Kentucky. The team previously lost to both teams away earlier this season.
Since those two losses, the Colonials have won seven of their last nine, and have been shining in all aspects of the game. During the stretch, RMU is averaging 62.8 points and allowing 60.4. The margin might be narrow, but new head coach Chandler McCabe has had no issue leaving her game up to defense, consistently reiterating the sentiment, “We hang our hat on defense.”
Looking ahead, RMU face Cleveland State on Saturday, who sit just above the them in third place. While the Colonials can’t overtake the Vikings, a win would be integral in order to separate themselves from the pack and lock up a home playoff game.
Women’s Hockey Travels to No. 3 Syracuse in First Round of AHA Playoffs
It’s been a dismal stretch for RMU Women’s Hockey. The team is currently riding an eight-game losing streak, and now has to travel up north to take on the third place Syracuse in the opening round of AHA playoffs. The Colonials were originally hoping to avoid the Orange in the first round, with Penn State and Mercyhurst taking the top two spots earning a bye.
RMU welcomed Lindenwood to the Island this weekend in a matchup that decided last place and the bottom seed in this year’s tournament. The Colonials were swept by the Lions buy an aggregate score of 11-3, meaning they took last place and would have to play the highest seed possible.
In the Colonials’ four matchups against Syracuse already this season, the team has lost every game and been outscored 17-4. In a difficult season for the Colonials compiled by losses and injuries, an upset would mean the world for the team, and give the team something to build off of for the future.
Puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 22 in New York.
Men’s Hockey Splits Series Against Niagara, Seeks to Make Up Ground in Standings
On the other side of the ice, Men’s Hockey have found some improvement, finally snapping their own eight game winless run, splitting their series against Niagara.
The Colonials played the Purple Eagles tight, with both games going to overtime. The Colonials would pick up the win 4-3 on the road, before falling 2-1 at home last Saturday.
Currently, RMU sits ninth in the AHA standings, one point behind eighth place American International College. While they cannot move ahead of eighth, the Colonials will want to have the advantage of a home game in the first round.
The Colonials will have to go through Air Force this weekend at home to ensure their position, and hope AIC loses in their final games against Sacred Heart, Army, and Holy Cross, all of which sit ahead of them. If RMU were to drop both games, then RIT may have the opportunity to leapfrog the Colonials, meaning they’d fall from the ninth seed to the tenth.
Either way, the home series against Air Force will be pivotal for the Colonials. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. on both Friday, February 21 and Saturday, February 22.
Men’s Lacrosse looks to get back to winning ways against St. Bonaventure
Men’s Lacrosse is riding off a lot of expectations this season. After a rough past couple years for the Colonials in the ASUN conference, the team has since moved back to the NEC, where they’ve found lots of success in the past.
Before getting to conference play though, the Colonials have to go through their difficult non-conference schedule, something that’s been a signature for the team in recent years.
After playing Michigan in back to back years in exhibition matches, the Colonials also started their season against Richmond in consecutive years, losing both matchups. The Colonials also fell to High Point, a team they haven’t beat since 2020.
Now RMU will look to get back on track with a win over St. Bonaventure in their home opener Tuesday afternoon. The weather has moved the matchup up from 4 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Joe Walton Stadium.
Last year the Colonials beat the Bonnies 16-11 in New Orleans, and will hope the same can repeat before travelling to Canisius on Saturday.
New Faces Shine as Women’s Lacrosse Beat Duquesne in Season Opener
RMU Women’s Lacrosse took their first steps to repeating as MAC Champions as they opened their season against crosstown rivals Duquesne last Wednesday.
Four freshman started for the Colonials, with two making their names known from the get-go. Vivian LaMange led the team in points with six, scoring twice and also adding four assists. Mia Berthoff also scored twice on her debut.
The Colonials lost to Cincinnati on Saturday, moving them to 1-1 this season, but will have the opportunity to rebound on Wednesday when they travel to take on Lafayette in the first ever matchup between the two programs.
After that, RMU will return to the Joe Walton Stadium fonstr their home opener against George Washington University. Last year the Colonials fell 16-9 to the Revolutionaries. Face-off is set for 1 p.m.
