Moon Township — An already intense end of the season for most teams on campus continued to heat up last week, as both basketball programs’ paths to March became clearer, men’s and women’s hockey began their postseason bouts, and the lacrosse teams started their journeys. All that and more right below!

Men’s Basketball Moves to Number 1 in Horizon League

Things are continuing to come up right for RMU men’s basketball team this season. Following another dominant win against Milwaukee at home last Sunday, the second-place Colonials got to sit back and watch if Cleveland State would slip up against Oakland on the road.

And slip they did, as the Golden Grizzlies beat the Vikings in overtime, giving RMU a half-game lead in the Horizon League, and allowing them the chance to lock up their first ever regular season Horizon League Championship.

This opportunity was well-earned for the Colonials. The win against Milwaukee, who sat just one game behind RMU at the time, meant the team extended their win streak to six games, and make it 22 wins overall, the most in a season since 2013.

The Colonials have kept winning off the court as well. The Horizon League announced on Monday that Kam Woods earned the conference’s player of the week award, the third Colonial whose been tabbed for a weekly honor this season. Alvaro Folguerias previously won the award three times this season and Antallah Sandlin-El also earned a Freshman of the Week award at the beginning of the year. Woods averaged 18.5 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists in the games against Green Bay and Milwaukee last week.

While a regular season championship would not be guaranteed with a win, one would sure give the Colonials a good chance of at least splitting one. Fortunately for RMU they’re going up against IU Indy, who they beat by 53 in their last matchup. The 106-53 score line saw seven Colonials reach double digits in points. The Colonials and Jags will go head to head on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. in Indianapolis.

Women’s Hockey Take No. 3 Syracuse to Double OT, Fall in First Round of AHA Playoffs

After a disappointing close to their season, losing a home series to drop to last place against Lindenwood, the RMU women’s hockey team had it all to play for in their first round playoff matchup against third-ranked Syracuse.

The team battled valiantly, but ultimately fell to the Orange 3-2 in double overtime.

The Colonials entered the game on an eight game losing streak, including a dismal showing in the regular season finale against Lindenwood. But RMU played Syracuse tight, holding the Orange to a scoreless first period. The breakthrough would come quick though in the second, as Heidi Knoll scored to put the home side up 1-0.

The Colonials would keep battling, and after a nice forecheck, Mya Nugent would find Jersey Phillips who carried the puck into the Orange zone and score to tie the game early in the third period. After a nice period of play, Morgan Giannone would find the net again ten minutes later to take the lead for the Colonials.

Unfortunately, the Orange would equalize in the final five minutes on a power play to take the game to overtime, which they would go onto win in the second period of additional time.

This marked back-to-back years of first round losses for the Colonials, as the team fell to Mercyhurst in a best of three series last season. The team will be losing six seniors in Jersey Phillips, Madison Primeau, Maddy Coene, Allyson Hebert, Veronica Bac, and Mya Neugent.

Men’s Hockey Faces Rematch Against Air Force in First Round

The RMU Men’s Hockey team will face a familiar opponent in the first round of the AHA Playoffs on Saturday. Fresh off of a home series this weekend, the Colonials will now get to travel to take on Air Force at their place this weekend.

The Colonials picked up just one point from the series, losing and tying, while the Falcons picked up the extra point in the shootout of game two.

RMU hasn’t beaten Air Force since the program returned, with the last win coming in a series sweep in 2020.

If the Colonials want to keep their season going, they’re gonna have to keep relying on their main goalscorer Walter Zacher, who sits tied in fourth in the AHA goal charts with 15.

Puck drop for RMU vs. Army is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 1.

Women’s Basketball Has Opportunity to Clinch Home Court Advanatage

Robert Morris women’s basketball has found unprecedented success this season under first-year head coach Chandler McCabe, and while there will be time to celebrate after it concludes, there is still work to do.

The Colonials have two games remaining in the regular season, and currently sit fourth in the standings. The team’s record of 8-10 has kept them one game ahead of a pack of fierce competitors in Detroit Mercy, Northern Kentucky, and Wright State, all who have a record of 7-11. Behind them sits another group, including Youngstown, who sits two games behind the Colonials with a record of 6-12.

With the picture drawn out, the situation is clear. If RMU can simply win their last two games, home against Youngstown on Wednesday, and away to Wright State on Saturday, then the Colonials would lock up a first round bye and home playoff game as the fourth seed in the Horizon League tournament.

The fourth seed also proves vital because of the lack of reward that comes with it. The fifth seed does earn a first round bye, but misses out on a home playoff game unless an upset occurs in the first round.

This would be a huge feat for the revamped women’s team, largely backed by the efforts of new head coach, Chandler McCabe, and the transfers that have help solidify the talents already established in “Hoop Township.”

Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse Scheduled For First Doubleheader at Home

Following a rather shaky start to both their seasons, men’s and women’s lacrosse teams are scheduled for their first of two doubleheaders at home this season.

Women’s lacrosse will have to play an extra match beforehand, taking on Mount St. Mary’s at home on Wednesday, February 26. The team is coming off a three game losing streak, including their home opening loss to George Washington, falling 9-8.

Now they face another uphill battle against Ohio State, an opponent RMU has never beaten in seven matchups. Last year, the Colonials fell to the Buckeyes 19-3.

The men’s team will have a bit of a break before their game Saturday against rivals Hobart. The Colonials have turned their season around after dropping their first two games against Richmond and High Point.

Wins against St. Bonaventure and Canisius means RMU sits at 2-2 overall, making for an always exciting match against the Statesmen that much more spicier.

The matchup has seen over 20 goals in the last four matchups, though the Colonials haven’t won in their last two meetings.

Women’s Lacrosse will kick things off against the Buckeyes at 11 a.m. followed by the men’s matchup against Hobart at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 1.

That wraps up another edition of Sentry Sports’ What to Watch, be sure to tune into Colonial Sports Center on Thursday, February 28 for more breakdown and analysis of everything RMU Sports, and check in with Sentry Media for game recaps and more!