Brevard, NC – The seventh-ranked University of the Cumberlands women's lacrosse team had eight different players record at least one goal as the Patriots cruised to a 22-4 season opening win over Brevard Tuesday night at Ives-Lemel Field.  With the win the Patriots have now won their season-opener for the second straight season, while the Tornados fall to 0-2. 

The Patriots struck first as Jaclyn Berry connected with Katherine Brewer for a goal three minutes into the contest to give the UC an early 1-0 lead. Shea West converted a free-position attempt, before Samantha Tullar won the ensuing draw control and scored to extend the lead to 3-0. Cumberlands got back-to-back goals from Angelica Makoski and Brewer's second goal of the game gave the Patriots a 6-0 lead ten minutes into the first half.  Brevard used a Victoria Hayes goal to get on the board, but UC responded quickly as Emily Heim found Berry in front of the cage for a goal 44 seconds later.  Cumberlands extended the lead three minutes later as Tullar's shot connected with the back of the cage for her 100^th career goal.  The Patriots scored five of the next six goals to extend their lead to 13-2 with 5:51 remaining.  The score remained that way until the 2:55 mark when Heim found Makoski for her career-high fourth goal of the first half.  Tullar added a goal in the final seconds to put UC ahead 15-2 at the break.

The second half began with goals being scored on each of the first three possessions, two by UC and one from Brevard to make it 17-3.  Tullar netted two of the next three goals to extend, before Tristyn Hudson recorded her first collegiate goal to put the Patriots ahead 21-3 with 3:20 remaining.  After a Tornados goal, Makoski found Berry for a goal in the final minute for the 22-4 final.

Leading the way for the Patriots was Tullar, who finished with seven goals, three assists, and six draw controls.  Berry and Heim both had an impressive debut for Cumberlands. Berry notched four goals, four assists, and eight draw controls, while Heim tallied five points, three ground balls and three draw controls.  Makoski chipped in five points.  Emily Crump made a pair of saves in the cage to earn the win.

The Patriots will return to the field Friday, February 16, as they host second-ranked Lawrence Tech.  The game is slated for 6 p.m. with live video is available here, while live stats are available here.

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