Williamsburg, KY – It will be a showdown between the top two-ranked NAIA women's lacrosse programs as the second-ranked University of the Cumberlands host the defending NAIA National Champions SCAD Friday at 1 p.m. at James H. Taylor, II Stadium.  It will be the second time in UC's three history that they have faced the team ranked atop of the NAIA poll.

Cumberlands comes into the game with a 9-0 record after defeating tenth-ranked Reinhardt 17-6 on Wednesday night.  Five of the Patriots nine wins this season have come against teams that are ranked or receiving votes, including Cumberlands first two wins over opponents ranked in the top five.  Cumberlands has outscored their opponents 182-48 so far this season and currently leads the NAIA in goals, assists, points, while limiting opponents to 5.33 goals per game, which ranks second in the country. In addition to that, UC has held their opponent scoreless in the second half in each of the last two games. 

UC has five players that have recorded at least 20 points so far this season, led by Samantha Tullar and Jaclyn Berry who are ranked one-two in points and goals.  Tullar has netted 53 goals, 25 assists, 61 draw controls and 26 ground balls, while Berry has notched 47 goals and 19 assists.  Emily Heim had recorded 37 draw controls, 23 points, 19 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers.  On the backline Jessica Truelove and Becan Hennighan have force eight turnovers apiece and combined for 29 ground balls.  In goal, Emily Crump has made 56 saves and has a 5.49 goals against average.

SCAD is 6-0 so far this season after defeating Post 25-8 last Friday. The Bees have won two of the last three national titles, including last year's NAIA Invitation with a 14-1 record.  SCAD has scored at least 20 goals in each of their last three games and are averaging 19.17 goals per game.  The Bees are third in the NAIA in scoring margin outscoring their opponents by 12.17 goals per game and they lead the country in assists per game with 12.

SCAD has five players who have tallied at least 20 points so far this season led by Jo Mitchell, who has 18 goals and 22 assists.  She leads the country with 3.67 assist per game to go along with 14 draw controls.  All-Americans Sydney Knego, Drew Dowgiallo, and Taylor Vaccaro have all posted double-figure goal totals.  Knego leads the Bees with 27 goals, 22 draw controls.  Midfielder Shannon Flaherty has tallied 24 points, 22 ground balls, 21 draw controls, and 13 caused turnovers.  Olivia Stahl has 13 caused turnovers and 17 ground balls to lead the Bees backline.

This is the second meeting between these two schools with SCAD winning the first meeting back in 2016.

Live video of the game will be available here as well as live stats are available here.  

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