Second half rally not enough for 'Dogs at RMU

Tuesday, February 23

Moon Township, PA

9:30 a.m. PT

Fresno State

1-2

Robert Morris

2-0

Fresno State

Robert Morris

Photo by: Justin Berl/Robert Morris Athletics

Second half rally not enough for 'Dogs at RMU

2/23/2021 1:30:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

By: Savannah Stoeckle / Strategic Communications Assistant

PITTSBURGH - The Fresno State women's lacrosse team dropped a hard-fought battle at Robert Morris, falling to the Colonials 18-13 on Tuesday morning. The Bulldogs gave a valiant second-half effort, but it was not enough to erase the 9-3 lead that RMU had created for itself in the first half.

The Bulldogs had three who scored hat tricks in Megan Walaitis, Hennessey Evans and Logann Eldredge. Junior attacker Sydney Skalstad added two goals, and Hannah Krats and Devon Ortman added one each. Lauren Kiszely led the game with four assists.

Ortman led the game with eight draw controls for a new career-high in the category for the freshman. Skalstad was right behind with seven.

In a strong defensive battle between the teams, the Bulldogs were led by Abbigayle Roberts with a career-high six ground balls. Roberts also added two caused turnovers. In the goal, Courtney Walburger had another career-high game, recording 12 saves on 30 shots on goal.

How it Happened
Fresno State had the momentum in its favor at the opening draw as Ortman scooped the draw and dished the pass to Elderedge for the first score of the game in the opening 30 seconds of play.

The next six minutes were scoreless until Evans found the back of the net in transition on the assist from Kristen Zenor, and Fresno State had a 2-0 lead with 22:38 left in the first half.

RMU scored the next four goals in eight minutes to erase Fresno State's lead and take a 4-2 lead of its own. Walaitis snapped the scoring run for RMU with a goal at the 12:30 mark, but the Colonials ended the half with five unanswered scores to take a 9-3 lead into the break.

The first 30 minutes of play saw 25 total turnovers (15 for Fresno State) as each team struggled to maintain possession on the offensive.

The second half began how the first ended as RMU scored three-straight in the first three and a half minutes. The Bulldogs then found their offensive spark as Walaitis began a four-goal run for the 'Dogs. Fresno State had scored on each of its offensive possessions in a four minute span with goals from Walaitis, Skalstad, Ortman, and Eldredge to cut the RMU lead to five, 12-7.

The teams traded goals for the next 11 minutes, but Fresno State couldn't catch a break on the defense to stop the Colonials from continuing to extend their lead.

Notable

Fresno State recorded a team season-high in assists (10), ground balls (35), and caused turnovers (10).
The Bulldogs' 35 ground balls were the second-most in a game in program history.
Sydney Skalstad moves into sixth all-time in career shots attempted (167). She sits seventh all-time in career shots on goal (124).
Skalstad earned her 100th career draw control on Tuesday and is currently fourth all-time in career draw controls (103).
Abbigayle Roberts breaks into the program all-time top 10 for career ground balls (57).
RMU has won six consecutive home games.

Up Next - The Bulldogs have their fourth consecutive road matchup on Saturday, Feb. 27 at Arizona State before their home opener against Cal on Mar. 5. The game versus the Sun Devils is scheduled for 11 a.m. PT.

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley '' – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.

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