ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Sophomore Cole Kucinski and junior Patrick Shanahan each tallied four points apiece as St. Bonaventure scored its second consecutive victory, 14-11, over NEC preseason favorite Robert Morris Tuesday afternoon at a sun-splashed Marra Athletics Complex.

St. Bonaventure (2-1) set the tone early as Chris Lawrence registered the game's first goal, followed by the first of the day by Kucinski for a 2-0 lead at the 7:58 mark of the first.

After RMU broke into the scoring column two minutes later, Jonas Johnson chipped in his first collegiate goal for a 3-1 lead after the opening quarter.

For the second consecutive game, Kucinski notched a hat trick before halftime as he netted his third of the afternoon nine seconds before the break for a 5-3 Bonnies edge at intermission.

Robert Morris (1-3) grabbed momentum out of half, holding the Bonnies off the scoreboard for over 12 minutes as the Colonials tied the game, 6-6, following a pole goal from Rowan Hynes at the 7:33 mark of the third.

Lawrence ended the Bona drought with 2:59 left in the penultimate period as he scored unassisted for a 7-6 advantage and the Bonnies would never surrender the lead for the rest of the day.

Lawrence's second goal started a sprint where the Bonnies scored five of the game's next six goals to extend their cushion to 11-7 following a strike by John Boomer with 7:18 to play in the fourth.

RMU made things interesting as the visitors found the net twice within 22 seconds to get back within 11-9 and still over six minutes to go, but Shanahan shut down the rally with his third of the afternoon.

Onenioteko:wa Maracle connected with cousin Blake Maracle for goal number lucky 13 and Miles Tropea found the back of the net for his second of the day and a five-goal advantage to put the game on ice late in the fourth.

In addition to Kucinski (4G) and Shanahan (3G-1A), Onenioteko:wa Maracle (1G-1A), Tropea (2G) and Lawrence (2G) all recorded multiple points in the winning effort for the Bonnies.

Reigning Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week Isaac Farmer earned the win between the pipes with 14 saves. Cameron Viavada, Aaron Eberhard and Aiden MacDonell all caused two RMU turnovers apiece. Viavada also chipped in an assist and five groundballs while MacDonell scooped up two loose balls off the turf. Owen Tasse added two caused turnovers and five groundballs as well. 

At the faceoff dot, Jeremy Askin won 13 faceoffs and posted nine groundballs as well.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH BRENDAN STORRIER
"Robert Morris is a tough, well-coached team. To win today is a testament to our effort and toughness. I'm very happy for our team to come out against a good opponent and stick together for four quarters."

GAME NOTES

• For the second consecutive game, the Bonnies snapped a three-game all-time series losing streak with their first-ever win over an opponent. On Saturday it was Binghamton while Tuesday brought SBU's first win over Robert Morris after the Colonials grabbed the first three games in the series.
• Askin set a new career-high in faceoff wins for the second straight game.
• Kucinski has nine goals in the past two games after scoring two all of last season.
• Shanahan recorded his fifth career hat trick and moved into sixth in the Bonnies' Division I record book with 51 career points.
• Lawrence scored his first career multi-goal game while Johnson and Tropea both notched their first career collegiate goals.
• Bonaventure's offense recorded the most goals in a game for the program since a 15-9 win over VMI Feb. 25, 2023.

UP NEXT
The Bonnies play host to Bellarmine as their three-game homestand continues next week. Faceoff is slated for Tuesday, Feb. 24 at noon.
 

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