Summer 2012 - Robert Morris University
Summer 2012 - Robert Morris University
Summer 2012 - Robert Morris University
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GOALIES, BEWARE!<br />
"Number 1 in America" is a title all sports teams<br />
crave, but only a few have the right to claim. In<br />
men's lacrosse, <strong>Robert</strong> <strong>Morris</strong> <strong>University</strong> seems<br />
to have a problem with sharing.<br />
The Colonials were the nation's highest scoring<br />
team in NCAA Division I lacrosse this year — just<br />
as they were last year, and the year before that<br />
too. Their 14.33 goals per game average was<br />
nearly a goal better than the closest contender,<br />
Colgate. It is the first time since the NCAA started<br />
keeping records in 1995 that a Division I team has<br />
won the scoring title three straight years.<br />
Last season's three top scorers graduated, so<br />
where did all the fireworks come from this year?<br />
Junior Jake Hayes scored a team-high 42 goals in<br />
<strong>2012</strong>, including a program record seven goals in a<br />
single game. Senior Kiel Matisz put in another 40<br />
goals and also contributed 24 assists. Both players<br />
ranked in the top 10 nationally in goals per game.<br />
First-year coach Andrew McMinn, the team's<br />
former offensive coordinator, managed the<br />
transition brilliantly as the Colonials finished 11-4,<br />
including a 5-0 sweep of NEC opponents. In the<br />
season finale at Joe Walton Stadium, McMinn's<br />
team trailed No. 20 Bryant at halftime, with the<br />
right to host the NEC championship hanging in<br />
the balance. With their 13-12 comeback victory —<br />
the Colonials' second win over a nationally<br />
ranked opponent this season after beating Ohio<br />
State in March — RMU earned its first regular<br />
season title. The Colonials also snatched Bryant's<br />
spot in the national rankings with the win.<br />
The run ended there, unfortunately, when<br />
defending champion Mount St. Mary's bounced<br />
the Colonials from the tournament 16-15 in<br />
overtime. Still, RMU finished the season with a<br />
raft of NEC honors, including Coach of the Year<br />
for McMinn, Player of the Year and Offensive<br />
Player of the Year for Matisz, and 10 players<br />
earning All-NEC honors, including Hayes.<br />
Looks like the pieces are in place to shoot for<br />
four in a row. Sharing's overrated.<br />
WRITTEN BY MARK HOUSER<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON COHN<br />
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