Schwartz Scores Three in Debut as Titans Fall in Season Opener at Robert Morris

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MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (2/16/2013) -- Freshman Michaela Schwartz scored three goals in her first collegiate game, but the University of Detroit Mercy women's lacrosse team opened the 2013 season Saturday afternoon on Joe Walton Field with a 13-7 loss at Robert Morris.

The opening half saw the Titans come out surrounded by RMU as the Colonials came up with the first seven goals of the game.

“I thought we came out shaky and timid,” said UDM women's lacrosse head coach Laura Maness. “We had some first-game jitters and I think that's behind us now. I saw a lot in the second half from not only our freshmen, but also our upperclassmen."

UDM broke through with 3:08 remaining in the opening half as Schwartz tallied her first collegiate goal. Schwartz took a pass from Zaynib Hamze in the middle of the field and found herself with a good opportunity for a shot on goal. Schwartz made no mistake and put the Titans on the board.

That goal would be the last before the intermission as Robert Morris held a 7-1 lead at the end of the first half. UDM had 10 ground balls at the break compared to eight for Robert Morris.

The second half would see Detroit come back with six goals and hold RMU to six in the second frame as well.

The Titans scored the first two of the second half as Schwartz added her second of the game and senior captain Megan Callahan also netted her first of the season. Both goals came from the free position and Callahan's goal made it 8-3 RMU with 25:25 to go in the second half.

The Colonials responded with three -straight goals to make the advantage, 11-3, with 17:10 yet to play.

UDM closed the gap with four of the next six goals to try and inch closer. Sophomore Tessa Keuler scored her first and second goals of the season sandwiched around a Robert Morris goal to make it 12-5. Callahan's second of the day, assisted by senior Lindsey Saunders, made it 12-6 before the final RMU goal pushed the lead to seven with a 13-6 score. Schwartz would then complete the hat trick taking a pass from Keuler for the goal with 3:22 to go, but that would conclude the scoring on the day and bring about the 13-7 final.

The last two goals for Detroit came with the man-up opportunity as each team had four yellow cards.
Robert Morris held an overall 30-20 shooting advantage, but the difference was just one, 13-12, for RMU in the second half. The Titans also grabbed 25 ground balls to 21 for the Colonials, forced 25 turnovers and was 14-20 on clears.

“We played hard until the last whistle and if we start where we left off, I think we will be fine for our other games next weekend,” said Maness.

Detroit will play next on Feb. 22 as UDM will head to Loudonville, N.Y., to play at Siena and then move on to Dover, Del., as Detroit will face Delaware State on Feb. 24.

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