NAIA Coaches' Poll

Kansas City, MO – With just two weeks from their first match of the season, the UC women's lacrosse team finds themselves ranked third in the NAIA Preseason Top Ten Coaches' Poll, announced by the national office Wednesday.  The Patriots, who are coming off a 16-4 record, earned 86 points in the poll.

Cumberlands advanced to semifinals of the NAIA Invitational for the second consecutive year and earned the inaugural Mid-South Conference regular season and tournament title in 2019.  The Patriots have returned ten players from last year's squad, including seven that have earned NAIA All-American honors.

Leading the way offensively for the Patriots are Jaclyn Berry, Emily Heim, Bella Ricchiazzi, and Samantha Tullar.  Berry netted a NAIA-best 117 goals in 2019, while Heim ranked third in the NAIA in assists and assists per game.  Ricchiazzi, the reigning MSC Freshman of the Year, finished with 95 points on the season. Tullar is seeking to continue her distinguished Patriot career at midfield.

The Patriots backline is led by two-time All-Americans Emily Crump and Elizabeth Fladung. Crump notched 125 saves and posted .508 save percentage, while Fladung tallied 55 draw controls, 43 ground balls, and 19 caused turnovers. Trinity Brown also posted an impressive freshman campaign with 49 ground balls and 21 caused turnovers on the year. 

In addition to the returners, UC has added nine newcomers, including Olivia McCarrell, Rachel Leigh, Florence Andrieu, and Hannah Churchley that will competed for starting position and provide depth.

Defending NAIA national champion SCAD totaled 98 points, including all eight first-place votes, to be atop the poll, while Benedictine is ranked second.  MSC rival Keiser is fourth, while Marian and Georgetown are ranked eighth and ninth, respectfully.

The Patriots will open its 2020 campaign on Wednesday, February 12, when they travel to Greenville, TN to take on Tusculum University.  Live video of the game will be available here, while live stats are available here.

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