Spiders pick up first win of the season with victory over Robert Morris University

The Spiders had a crushing victory over Robert Morris University for the second year in a row. 

The University of Richmond men’s lacrosse team won 17-2 over Robert Morris University in its first home game of the season on Feb. 8. 

The Colonials faced UR for the first time last year in a blowout 23-7 game. The Spiders’ strong offensive talents appeared again this season. There were a few players leading the charge. 

Junior attacker Aidan O’Neil tallied four points with three goals and an assist, matching his four points from last weekend’s game against No. 5 University of Maryland. 

Last season’s game against the Colonials was a major notch in O’Neil’s belt. His six goals and six assists tied the program record for most points in a single game. The following week he was named Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Week. 

“I just have been lucky to play pretty well against them both time and things have kind of gone my way,” O’Neil said. 

O’Neil wasn’t the only attacker with a successful day. Senior midfielder Henry Alpaugh and junior midfielder Joe Sheridan both put up four points. 

Alpaugh grabbed the first goal of the game two minutes into the first quarter. The Colonials and Spiders swapped a few shots before Sheridan knocked a ball in the back of the cage, making the score 2-0. UR’s defense worked hard to keep the RMU offense from scoring, leading to a 3-0 start to the second quarter. 

The Colonials struggled to keep a hold of the ball, having an onslaught of turnovers and penalties. On the other hand, the Spiders were a powerhouse on the field. They had six goals in eight minutes of play, completely taking the game. 

UR’s hot streak carried over to the third quarter when the Spider’s had three goals in the opening four minutes of the half. The Colonials finally achieved the goal they had been looking for a few minutes later, taking away any hope for a shutout. 

The Spiders were not deterred, scoring two more times in the quarter. They continued to dominate RMU for the rest of the game, leaving a 17-2 score as the teams left the field. 

The defensive’s efforts to hold the Colonials to two goals did not go unnoticed. 

“The defense really gave the offense a lot of confidence,” Head Coach Dan Chemotti said. “We just knew our defense was communicating and in the right positions, making plays.”

It’s early into the season and UR is still trying to find the perfect lineup of players. The Spiders had a different rotation of players for this game, and according to O’Neil, they most likely will next week as well. 

“I know I got pretty comfortable with certain guys,” O’Neil said. “I love playing with [sophomore attacker] Lucas Littlejohn when he’s out there. We’re finding little pieces and I think it’s coming together each week.”

This victory was vital for the Spiders before they travel to the No. 6 University of Virginia next Saturday. In the 10 year history of the two teams, UR has only won once. Last year, the Spiders fell 10-14 to the Cavaliers. 

“[UVA] is the standard for a lot of things out there,” Chemotti said. “It’s going to be a tough day no doubt about it.”

The matchup will be in Charlottesville, Va. on Feb. 15 at 11:30 a.m. 

Contact sports editor Abigail Finney at abigail.finney@richmond.edu.