Notre Dame, Ind. – The Robert Morris University men's lacrosse team completed a four-game road swing with a 19-7 loss to No. 8 Notre Dame this afternoon from Arlotta Stadium. RMU falls to 1-3 on the season, while the Fighting Irish move to 1-0. MOMENTS THAT MATTERED It took just 33 seconds for Notre Dame to strike, as Quinn McMahon scored his first of three goals to make it 1-0. RMU had an answer courtesy of Jimmy Perkins, with the seventh-year graduate tying it at 1-1 with a wrap-around bouncer tucked inside the far post. The Fighting Irish defense went to work from there however, holding the Colonials off the board until a man-up tally by Austin Popovich with 10:42 left in the second quarter, while runs of 6-0 and 5-0 allowed the hosts to carry a 12-2 lead into halftime. SCOOP TOWNSHIP Sophomore long-stick midfielder James Leary collected a season-high seven groundballs this afternoon, coming one shy of tying his career best of eight, which was established on March 7, 2020 at Marquette. Completing his 10th collegiate game today, Leary ranks third all-time at RMU in groundballs per game (3.90), only trailing faceoff specialists Mike Grosz (5.04; 2009-12) and Chris Barney (4.40; 2012-16). The New Fairfield, Conn. native has 39 groundballs total, with his performance today giving him 21 on the season – three more than last year's six-game campaign. LIAM IN NET Sophomore goalkeeper Liam Rosenthal played the final 33:39 in net this afternoon and made a career-high 10 saves, including a few at point-blank range during the second half. Rosenthal previously played the final 1:11 of last Sunday's win at Colgate after making a pair of relief appearances last season at Canisius and Drexel. He faced 34 shots this afternoon after facing 35 total in 2020. TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK RMU's third goal of the afternoon epitomized the word "teamwork", starting with a Blake Lori successful clear attempt. Lori broke the Notre Dame press and found Johnny Chaisson to his left, who dished it behind the back to Jimmy Perkins. Perkins kept it going by tossing it to Ryan Smith, and the graduate attack set up Corson Kealey at the doorstep for an easy tally to trim the deficit to 12-3. HIGH HONORS Seventh-year attack Jimmy Perkins was the only Colonial to register multiple goals, tallying two to lead the team. Graduate student Ryan Smith led the visitors with three points (1g, 2a), while classmate Austin Popovich, senior Corson Kealey, junior Brandon Sulhoff, and sophomore Ben Starkey all scored once. Junior defensemen Josh Schreibeis and Owen Down caused three turnovers each, as RMU owned a 9-8 edge over Notre Dame in that category. NEXT UP RMU returns to Joe Walton Stadium for its 2021 home opener on Tuesday, March 2 when it hosts Bellarmine. This marks the latest home opener for the Colonials since the 2012 season, when they hosted Colgate to kick off the home slate on March 3. Opening faceoff is set for 1:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on RMU Athletics' YouTube page.