Junior Jake Hayes scored three goals and totaled six points as Robert Morris upended then-No. 20 Bryant, 13-12, to clinch the NEC Regular-Season Title and earn the right to host the 2012 NEC Men’s Lacrosse Championship Tournament. In a “winner take all” type of game, Hayes provided offense at key points of the contest. He scored all three of his goals in the first quarter, helping RMU to a 5-2 lead. With time dwindling down then in the second, he handed out his first assist of the game to make it a two-goal deficit, at 8-6, after Bryant stormed back with a 6-0 run. Following the break, Hayes capped off a four-goal spurt with back-to-back assists that gave the Colonials a 9-8 lead at the time and set up the thrilling finish. Thanks to his six points, Hayes tied teammate Kiel Matisz with 58 points on the season, a mark that ranks tops on the team and in the NEC. He also tied Matisz for the conference lead in overall points per game (4.14) and continued to have sole possession of the goals per game figure (2.86).