Box Score

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Niagara University’s women’s lacrosse team dropped an 18-7 match to Robert Morris Saturday afternoon on Niagara Field in the team's home opener of the 2013 season.

Carrie-Jo Farrugia  led the team with three points on a pair of goals and an assist, while Fran Pollastro added two scores.  Kayla Smith, Danielle Maio and Brittany Delano also contributed to the scoreboard with a tally each.

"We executed for 40 minutes today, but we have yet to put together a complete game this year," head coach Wendy Stone said.  "The energy level was where it needed to be to start the game, and we will look to be better on Tuesday when we face Cincinnati." 

The opening 30 minutes of play saw the Colonials (3-0) jump out to a 2-0 with a little over 10 minutes into the contest.  Farrugia would score her first of the game and second of the season with 17:10 on the clock, but the Colonials would finish the first half with three unanswered tallies to make it a 5-1 heading into the first intermission. 

Miao and Farrugia provided a spark for the Purple Eagles (0-3), each scoring finding the back of the net in the opening minutes of the second half to cut what was a 5-1 RMU lead to two.  The Colonials responded with a goal from Brittany Byerly and Emily Jamison within a minute, but Niagara was resilient as Smith and Pollastro made it 7-5 with 20 minutes remaining in the game.

RMU would outscore the Purple Eagles 10-1 over the next 13 minute stretch, commanding a 17-6 lead with 7:02 to play.  Pollastro would add her second goal of the game with 2:10, but the Colonials added one last tally to finish the scoring at 18-7. 

Robert Morris won 16 of 11 draw control attempts and held a 32-24 advantage in shots. 

NU goaltender Paige Sasser pushed aside six saves in 60 minutes of play.

The Purple Eagles return to the field on Tuesday, March 5 against Cincinnati. Game time is set for 3 p.m.