Williamsburg, KY – The third-ranked UC women's lacrosse team six players net at least two goals, while the Patriots defense came up big as Cumberlands defeated Siena Heights 18-4 Saturday afternoon at the UC Lacrosse Complex.  With the win, the Patriots extend their program-best win streak to 13 straight as they improve to 5-0 on the season, while the Saints move to 1-1 overall.

Bella Ricchiazzi led the way with seven goals and two assists.  Rachel Leigh notched a career-high five points with three goals and two assists, while Florence Andrieu also finished with five points.

Emily Heim continued to etch her name in the Patriots record books. With her three caused turnovers today, the Austin, TX is now tied with Becan Hennighan for most in a career with 63.  Heim also added four points, four draw controls, and two ground balls.  Olivia McCarrell made six stops and scooped three ground balls to earn her fifth win of the season.

Cumberlands struck first as Ricchiazzi found Leigh for a goal to get the Patriots on the board. Leigh added her second goal two minutes later this time off the assist from Andrieu to extend UC's lead to 2-0. Two minutes later, Carolina Johnson found Reegan Hensley cutting in front of the cage for a shot giving the Patriots a 3-0 with 23:22 remaining.  The two teams traded goals twice, before Ricchiazzi netted an unassisted goal to made it 6-2 with 17:49 remaining.  Both defenses stepped up over the next 13 minutes as neither team was able to convert.  McCarell made two saves over the final 17 minutes of the first half, while Heim connected with Ricchiazizi for a goal to give the Patriots a 7-2 lead at the break.

Siena Heights added a goal to start the second half, however, three straight goals from Ricchiazzi extended UC's lead to 10-3.  Stephanie Meyer won the ensuing draw control and on the Patriot possession she found Andrieu for a goal 11 seconds later. Cumberlands added three unanswered goals, including to extend the lead to 14-3 midway through the second half.  After Siena Heights cut the lead to ten, Cumberlands responded with four straight goals to close out the game, include two from Meyer for the 18-4 final.

UC finished the game with 19 draw controls, including winning the battle 12-2 in the second half.   

The Patriots have now won seven straight matches teams that are either ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Top 10 Coaches' Poll.

Cumberlands will return to the field Wednesday, March 17, when they travel to face Indiana Tech.  The game is set to start at 7 p.m. with live video available here and live stats available here.

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