Grand Rapids, MI –The fourth-seed University of the Cumberlands men's lacrosse team scored six fourth quarter goals to erase a 4-1 deficit and defeat fifth-seed Siena Heights 7-5 in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Invitational Thursday night at AQ Athletic Complex.  With the win the Patriots advance to the semifinals and improve to 13-4, while the Saints finish the season 11-5.

"This team showed a lot of heart and great on the field tonight," said Head Coach Pete Campbell.  "They fought till the last whistle and I'm extremely proud of the way we played."

It was a defensive battled right from the start as the two teams combined for three goals in the first half.  Siena Heights looked to jump on the board first however Will Settle stopped a Garnett Potter shot to keep the game scoreless.  The game remained that way until the 2:52 mark as the Saints netted a goal to take a 1-0 lead. 

Cumberlands forced a Siena Heights failed clear and on the ensuing possession Dalton Smith put a well-placed shot into the back of the cage to even the score at 1-1 two minutes in.  The Saints retook the lead on a Ryan Mamo goal to give Siena Heights a 2-1 edge with 9:52 remaining.  Settle made three of his eight saves in the final four minutes of the half to keep the score 2-1 at the break.   

Siena Heights took advantage of a Patriot penalty and converted a man-up goal a minute into the third quarter to take a 3-1 lead.  The Saints added another goal midway through the quarter to give them a 4-1 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Kody Swann won the opening faceoff of the fourth quarter, scooped the ground ball, and found Thomas Fogarty for a goal eight seconds into the period to cut the deficit to 4-2.  Minutes later, Caleb Elerick dodged from behind the cage and put an over-the-shoulder shot into the cage to make it 4-3.  Two minutes later Fogarty found Henry Quaye cutting towards the net for the equalizer with 9:48 remaining.  The two teams traded goals before Quaye put a bounce shot past the goalie to give Cumberlands its first lead of the game at 6-5 with 3:14 remaining.  Swann won the ensuing faceoff and on UC's possession Elerick connected with Jake Mitchell for a goal to extend the lead to 7-5 with 2:55 left.  Siena Heights looked to battle back but Potter's shot hit the post as Cumberlands ran out the time for the 7-5 final. 

The Patriots out shot the Saints 36-25 in the game, including 17-3 in the fourth quarter. 

Fogarty led the way for UC with a goal and two assists, while Quaye netted a pair of goals.  Swann went 11-15 on faceoffs with three ground balls.  Mitchell, Nick DiFranco, and Bryan Morgan each recorded two caused turnovers, while Morgan also scooped a team-high five caused turnovers. 

The Patriots will return to the field Friday, May 11, when they host top-seed Madonna in the semifinals.  The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. with live stats for the game will be available here.

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