Columbia, SC – The third-ranked UC women's lacrosse team had seven different players net at least one goal as the Patriots defeated (RV) Lourdes 23-6 on a neutral field Wednesday afternoon.  With the win the Patriots improve to 8-1, while the Gray Wolves move to 2-4 on the season.

Lourdes came out strong netting the first goal of the game, while Jacque Pappaakes made a pair of saves in the first two minutes of the contest.  UC responded quickly as Emily Heim put a shot in the upper right corner for a goal to tie the game 1-1.  Katie Brewer added a goal, before finding Bella Ricchiazzi on a quick pass of a free-position attempt to put Cumberlands in front 3-1 with 22:37 remaining.  After the two teams traded goals twice, Heim and Amanda Phillips would both find Brewer for goals to extend UC's lead to 7-3 with 12:09 remaining in the first half.  From that point the Patriots scored eight unanswered goals, including man up goals from Berry, Stephanie Meyer, and Kelsey Fearing, to take a 15-3 lead into halftime.

The two teams traded goals to start the second half. Emily Crump stopped a free position shot and on the ensuing transition Heim found Brewer in front of the cage for a goal to push the lead to 17-4.  After the teams traded goals, Ricchiazzi added an unassisted goal to make it 19-5 midway through the second half.  Berry netted three of UC's final four goals for the 23-6 final.

Berry led the way with nine goals and 11 points, while Heim added eight points and scooped nine draw control.  Brewer chipped in four goals, while Phillips and Ricchiazzi each finished with a hat trick.  The Patriots tallied 14 assists on their 23 goals and forced 12 Lourdes' turnovers.

The Patriots return to the field Friday, March 15, when they travel to Marietta, GA to face (RV) Life in their Mid-South Conference opener. The game is slated for 5 p.m. with live video available here.

For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. Follow us on Twitter - @UC_Patriots, Instagram - @UCPatriots, SnapChat - @UC_Patriots, YouTube – Cumberlands Patriots, and Facebook by searching University of the Cumberlands Athletics.