Williamsburg, KY – The top-ranked UC men's lacrosse team notched seven third quarter goals, while a pair of players netted four goals apiece as the Patriots defeated sixth-ranked Missouri Valley Wednesday night at the UC Lacrosse/Soccer Complex.  With the win the Patriots improve to 3-1 on the season, while the Vikings fall to 2-1.

UC came out strong outshooting Missouri Valley 15-8 in the opening quarter.  Liam Carney made five saves before Caleb Elerick found Preston Brooks for a goal to give the Patriots a 1-0 lead midway through the first quarter.  Two minutes later, Thomas Fogarty made spin move past his defender and put a well-placed shot to the top right corner to extend Cumberlands lead to 2-0.  Missouri Valley took advantage of a Patriot penalty notching a man-up goal to cut the lead to 2-1 after the first quarter.

Four minutes into the second quarter, Will Settle made a stick save on an Aaron Longley shot and on the ensuing transition Whitten McCune's shot connected with the back of the cage to extend the lead to 3-1.  The two teams traded goals, before Henry Quaye put a shot into the lower corner of the cage to extend the lead to 5-2.  The Vikings added a man-up goal in the final minute to cut UC's lead to 5-3 at half.

The Patriots scored six unanswered goals, including three from Fogarty, to extend their lead to 11-3 with 3:53 remaining.  Missouri Valey responded with back-to-back goals, before Preston Brooks connected with Justin Darley for his first goal of the season to extend the lead to 12-5 after three quarters.

Missouri Valley netted three straight goals to start the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 12-8.  Minutes later Jake Mitchell found Crouch in front of the cage for a transition goal midway through the fourth quarter.  Alex Heckler and Dalton Smith each recorded a goal for the 16-8 final.

Crouch led the way with four goals and an assist, while Fogarty netted four goals.  Sam Collinson and Heckler notched three points apiece.  Kody Swann went 12-22 and scooped three ground balls.

Settle made 14 saves in the win, including nine in the second half.  Nick DiFranco finished with 11 ground balls and three caused turnovers, while Mitchell scooped five ground balls.  UC's backline of Jaret Williamson, Brian Morgan, and Walker Lacey combined for four ground balls and a pair of caused turnovers.

UC returns to action Sunday, March 10, as they host sixth-ranked Siena Heights at the UC Lacrosse/Soccer Complex.  The game is scheduled for 11 a.m. with live video available here and live stats here.

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