ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The chant rang out loud and clear as the Roberts Wesleyan College women's lacrosse team broke its post game huddle on Thursday night.

"10 and 0, 10 and 0, 10 and 0!!!"

Indeed, the Redhawks are a perfect 10 after rallying to defeat Grand Valley State State University 12-9 in a non-conference game played through intermittent snow flurries on B.T. Roberts Turf Field.

The Lakers (8-2) came into the game ranked eighth in the most recent Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association poll and 11th by U.S. Lacrosse magazine.

Redhawks interim head coach Pete Bell didn't hesitate when asked if this was the biggest win in program history.

"Without a doubt," said Bell, whose team outscored the Lakers 6-1 over the final 18:37. "They are one of the better teams in the country and for us to beat them says a lot about where our program is right now."

The Redhawks entered the game ranked 21st in the IWLCA poll and No. 15 by U.S. Lacrosse and have not lost a game in 14 months, with their last defeat coming by a goal, 16-15, at Saint Leo University on Feb. 22, 2020.

Senior Taylor Nathan led Roberts with four goals, including the eventual winner off a feed from classmate Emily Tomei that gave the Redhawks a 10-8 advantage with 8:08 to play.

"10-0 is awesome," Nathan said. "That is something that we pride ourselves on and want to keep building on for the rest of the season."

Senior Lindsey Brinkel added two goals and two assists, Tomei and graduate student Jessica Giancursio both had two goals and an assist and junior Alexis Grant contributed two goals for the Redhawks.

"We got out of our own heads and started playing like we normally do and not thinking," Brinkel said of the Redhawks' finishing flurry. 

"It means everything," Tomei said of the victory. "Every year we get better and better after putting the work in. Beating a Top-10 team shows us what we are capable of moving forward."

Roberts received a solid effort from its defense, especially in the second half.

Junior Natalie Arieno made several big saves for the Redhawks, including back-to-back free position stops with her team down 8-7 with 17:35 left. She finished with eight saves as the Redhawks held Maddy Champagne, the Lakers' top scorer, without a point.

"I think that our team was just clicking," Arieno said. "Everyone was playing their part. We focus on team chemistry. We just try to cheer each other on. We know that it's OK if you make a mistake. You just have to work your butt off on the next play." 

Giancursio's rebound goal with 2:46 remaining in the first snapped a scoring drought of 13:18 and brought the Redhawks within 7-6 at the half. GVSU took a two-goal lead 39 seconds into the second half, but Roberts stayed close and eventually tied the game 8-8 on a free position goal by Nathan with 12:06 remaining.

The Redhawks regained the lead for good when Tomei converted a feed from Giancursio with 11:01 left.

"We talk about energy all the time," Bell said. "Scoring goals helps to create your own energy and it becomes infectious."

GVSU scored with 5:20 left, but the Redhawks answered just over a minute later when Brinkel made a move, stepped over a defender and buried a low shot to restore the two-goal lead at the 4:09 mark. Grant finished a gorgeous give-and-go from Madison Bell to seal the deal with 2:48 to play.

Roberts scrapped throughout the game, holding a 22-13 advantage in ground balls and forcing 25 turnovers. Junior Tiffany Melendez led the Redhawks by forcing five turnovers and Melendez and Giancursio finished with four ground balls apiece.

"10-0 feels great," Arieno said. "My teammates blow my mind every time we step on the field, whether it's for practice or a game. They are awesome every day." 

The Redhawks return to action at 1 p.m. Saturday for a matchup with East Coast Conference rival University at Bridgeport.