Williamsburg, KY – The seventh-ranked University of the Cumberlands women's lacrosse team kicked off their 2018 home schedule with a tall order as they hosted the defending NAIA national runner-up and second-ranked Lawrence Tech and the Patriots were up to challenge defeating the Blue Devils 15-10 Friday night at James H. Taylor, II Stadium. This marks only the second time in program history that the Patriots have defeated a ranked opponent and the first win over a top-five opponent.   

"This is a great and complete team win," said Head Coach Kelly Buikus. "I think this showed how good we can be and that we are competitive at the the national level."

Cumberlands (2-0) struck first as Katherine Brewer connected with Jaclyn Berry for a goal two minutes into the contest to give the UC an early 1-0 lead. Lawrence Tech netted back-to-back goals, before the Brewer found Berry cutting towards the cage for goal to even the score at 2-2 with 20:38 remaining.   The score remained that way until the 16:44 mark when Emily Heim found Angelica Makoski for a transition goal to put Cumberlands back in front 3-2.  The two continued to battle, trading goals three times over the course of the next ten minutes.  Brewer converted a free-position goal, followed by a Heim transition goal gave UC a 8-5 advantage with 2:23 left.  Emily Crump made back-to-back saves on a pair of Teagan Laier shots with 30 remaining and on the ensuing transition the Brewer-Berry connection struck for the third time extending UC's lead to 9-5.  Lawrence Tech looked to cut into the lead before half, but Crump saved a Marci Schaeffer shot with three seconds remaining to keep the score 9-5 at the break. 

Lawrence Tech (0-1) came out strong in the second half, netting three unanswered goals in the first four minutes of play to cut the lead to 9-8.  On UC's next possession Elizabeth Fladung grabbed a ground ball, off a Makoski shot, and found Berry in front of the cage for a one-timer goal.  Less than a minute later, Samantha Tuller dodged towards the cage and fired a shot to the lower corner of the cage as she was falling down to extend UC's lead to 11-8.  Berry followed up with three straight goals, over a four minute span, to give the Patriots a 14-8 lead with 18:30 remaining.  Lawrence Tech netted two of the final three goals of game for the 15-10 final.

"Our offense was clicking and our defense did a phenomenal job tonight. Emily Crump played a fantastic game in the cage and I'm so proud of the team and excited to see what's to come this season," added Buikus.

Leading the way for the Patriots was Berry, who netted a career-high seven goals.  Heim finished with three goals and a pair of assists, while Tullar and Brewer recorded four points apiece. 

UC's defense was led by Crump, who made 15 saves, which is the second most in her career, and scooped a career-high six ground balls.  Cumberlands backline of Becan Hennighan, Fladung, Briana Kucis, and Jessica Truelove combined for 11 ground balls and six caused turnovers. 

The Patriots will return to the field Saturday, February 24, when they travel to Cleveland, GA to face Truett-McConnell in their AAC opener.  This is the makeup of the Feb. 10^th game, which was rained out, and game time is set for 2 p.m.

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