Athens, TN - Michael Toohey, who was making his fourth career start, recorded a career-high 16 saves as the (RV) UC men's lacrosse team knocked off eighth-ranked Tennessee Wesleyan 14-7 Tuesday afternoon at the TW Lacrosse Field.  With the win, the Patriots improve to 4-4 on the season and 3-1 in AAC play.

In addition to the stellar defense, Thomas Fogarty led UC's offense netting five goals and dishing out two assists.  It marks the second straight game that Fogarty netted at least five goals. Christian Vanover added four goals, while Stephen Popovich tallied two goals, two assists, and five ground balls in the win.

Jake Morgan, the reigning AAC Defensive Player of the week, accumulated five caused turnovers and 11 ground balls.  Dalton Smith added two caused turnovers, while Jayvon Jamison and Schylar Chapman finished with seven and five ground balls, respectfully.

The Patriots struck first two minutes into the  first quarter.  With the shot clock running down, Dawson Coltran connected with Tanner Popovich for a goal to give UC a 1-0 lead.  Toohey made three saves in the quarter to keep the Bulldogs offense at bay, however, Tennessee Wesleyan scored twice to take a 2-1 lead into the second quarter.

The second quarter began with both teams playing down a man due to a penalty.  Morgan stepped up and went 3-3 on faceoffs, while the Patriots offense netted three goals in just over three minutes of action.  Fogarty, Crouch, and Coltran were the recipients 1of those goals extending UC's lead to 4-2 with 11:43 remaining.   The score remained that way till the 8:40 mark when Fogarty netted his second goal of the game off an assist from Stephen Popovich.  The two teams traded goals, before Fogarty connected with Stephen Popovich for a goal with three seconds remaining in the half to extend Cumberlands lead to 7-3. 

Vanover netted two of the first three goals in the third quarter to extend the Patriots lead to 9-4 midway through the period.  After the Bulldogs cut the lead 9-7, Stephen Popovich forced a turnover, scooped the ground ball, and netted an unassisted goal to give the Patriots a 10-7 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Cumberlands made the most of their opportunities in fourth quarter converting four of their six shots into goals, while Toohey made six saves to hold the Bulldogs scoreless.  The period started with back-and-forth action until Morgan force a turnover and on the ensuing possession Fogarty connected with Crouch for a goal to extend the lead to 11-7.  Just over a minute later, Noah Brandt connected with Fogarty for another transition goal.  Vanover added two goals in the final minutes for the 14-7 final.

The Patriots scooped a season-high 50 ground balls in the game.

Cumberlands will return to the field Saturday, March 27, when they host top-ranked Reinhardt. The game is slated to begin at 7 p.m. with live video available here and live stats available here.

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