QUICK HITS
- Robert Morris used a big second quarter to take the lead for good in a 13-8 win over Cleveland State
- The Vikings cut a seven-goal, second-half deficit down to three but could get no closer
- Sophomore Tristan Hanna posted his seventh hat trick of the season in the setback
- Sophomore Michael Wilson had a game-high three assists
- Junior Danny Tesler won 8-of-13 faceoffs and had four ground balls
- Junior Skylar Jimenez had four caused turnovers and three ground balls
- Cleveland State forced the Colonials into a 19-for-28 mark on clear attempts
GAME RECAP
The Cleveland State University lacrosse team concluded its four-game homestand Saturday afternoon by dropping a 13-8 decision to Robert Morris inside Krenzler Dome.
CSU cut what had been a seven-goal deficit early in the third quarter to just a three-goal deficit early in the fourth, but the Vikings could get no closer.
Cleveland State had an advantage in most statistical categories, including shots, ground balls, faceoffs and clearing percentage while the teams had the equal numbers of turnovers and man-up tallies. The Vikings' ride continued to be especially effective as it forced the Colonials into nine failed clears in 28 attempts.
Sophomores Tristan Hanna and Michael Wilson led the Vikings offensively. The former posted his seventh hat trick in the last 11 games while the latter added a trio of helpers and now has at least one assist in 11 of his 12 games this season.
Cleveland State scored on the game's first possession when Hanna showcased his elusiveness to evade a defender and net a strike late in the shot clock. A little over five minutes later, Wilson made a pass in a tight window from one side of the crease to the other where Sherwin Gersten slammed it home from close range.
Robert Morris scored the final goal of the first quarter in transition as it was able to maintain possession by grabbing a ground ball in the final third before the tally.
RMU scored on the first possession of the second quarter to tie the game and soon took control. The Colonials would score six times over the final nine minutes of the half to take an 8-2 lead into intermission.
The Colonials would extend their lead to seven goals with a strike on their first possession of the third quarter.
Cleveland State began to fight back as it scored four of the final five goals in the third quarter, a stretch started when sophomore Jake Higgins scored in transition. Hanna then fed Wilson just over a minute later.
After an RMU goal, junior Jared Stepka scored with a laser into the upper left corner. The Vikings closed the frame when freshman Nick Polydoras scored on a feed from Wilson with the man advantage.
When Hanna forced home a goal on the doorstep of the crease, off a feed from junior Tristen Copeland, just 14 seconds into the final quarter, it seemed as though Cleveland State was primed for a comeback.
However, just two goals were scored in the game over the next 12 minutes, one by each side, as the Colonials were able to effectively slow the game down to preserve their advantage. RMU would add two insurance tallies in the final two minutes to set the final margin.
Sophomore Stephen Russo made 11 saves in the contest and also notched his first career point by providing the assist on Higgins' transition tally.
Sophomore Skylar Jimenez had a game-high four caused turnovers and added a trio of ground balls. Junior Danny Tesler won 8-of-13 faceoffs and posted four ground balls. Junior Noah Gleeson scored the Vikings' final goal of the contest.
Hanna now owns 10 career multi-goal games while Wilson has eight multi-assist outings this season.
The Vikings will play their road finale next Saturday, April 20, when they make the trek to Utah.
