Grand Rapids, MI – The third-seed University of the Cumberlands women's lacrosse team recorded six unanswered to erase the three goal deficit and defeat sixth-seed Reinhardt 18-15 in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Invite Thursday morning at AQ Field.  With the win UC advances to Friday's semifinals and improves t 15-3 on the season, while the Eagles move to 16-2.

NAIA Second Team All-American Bella Ricchiazzi, who notched a career game for the Patriots, got the scoring started with an unassisted goal just over two minutes into the first half.  Reinhardt responded with three straight goals to take a 3-1 edge with 21:19 remaining.  Second Team All-American Emily Heim led UC's response tallying a goal, before finding First Team All-American Jaclyn Berry for the equalizer midway through the first half.  After both teams scored twice, Berry connected with a cutting Shea West to give Cumberlands a 6-5 edge with 9:00 left in the first half.  The Eagles tallied five of the next six goals to give Reinhardt a 10-7 lead with 1:21 remaining.  Ricchiazzi scooped the ensuing draw control, raced up field and fired a shot into the cage to cut the deficit to 10-8, however the Eagles added a last second goal to take a 11-8 lead into halftime.

Cumberlands looked to rally in the second half as UC forced three turnovers and Emily Crump made a save to keep the deficit at three. The Patriots cut the deficit to two goals as Ricchiazzi wrapped around the goal and put a well-placed shot past the goalie.  The AAC freshman of the year then dished out three straight assists, two to Berry and one to Stephanie Meyer, to put Cumberlands in front 12-11 with 17:46 remaining.  Reinhardt responded with four unanswered goals, in a five minute span, to retake the lead at 15-12.  The Eagles looked to extend their lead however Crump saved a Morgan McGhee shot and on the ensuing transition Ricchiazzi found Berry for the goal.  The Framingham, MA native followed with back-to-back to tie the game at 15-15 with 8:11 remaining.  On UC's next possession Ricchiazzi found Berry off a free position attempt for the go-ahead goal to give Cumberlands a 16-15 lead with 6:58 remaining.  Ricchiazzi converted a free position goal, before finding Amanda Phillips for a man-up goal for the 18-15 final.

Ricchiazzi set career-highs in goals (7), assists (6), and points (13), while scooping four draw controls.  Berry tallied seven goals and an assist in the game, marking the 12^th time this season the sophomore has netted at least seven goals in a game.  Heim added three points and four draw controls.

Defensively UC was led by Crump, who tallied 12 saves, while Meyer forced a team-high four caused turnovers.  The Patriots backline of Kelly Webb, Briana Kucis, Elizabeth Fladung, and Trinity Brown combined for eight ground balls and a pair of caused turnovers.

The Patriots will second-seed Benedictine, who defeated Marian 17-2, in the semifinals on Friday, May 10, at 4 p.m.  Cumberlands will look to avenge on of its regular season losses as the Ravens took the first game 16-12.

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