Patriots Women's Lacrosse Falls in Overtime In Battle of Top-Five
Detroit, MI – Facing their first ranked opponent of the season, the second-ranked UC women's lacrosse team fell 10-9 in overtime to fourth-ranked Lawrence Tech Friday night. With the win the Blue Raiders improve to 1-0, while the Patriots move to 2-1 on the year.
Bella Ricchiazzi led the way for UC with three goals, an assist, and three ground balls in the game.
Rachel Leigh netted her first multi-goal game of the season and scooped a team-best three draw controls in the game.
Hannah Churchley added three caused turnovers and a team-high four ground balls in the game.
Cumberlands took the early advantage as Ricchiazzi scooped a rebound off of a Lawrence Tech turnover and netted the first goal of the game three minutes into the first quarter. The Blue Devils evened the score before Leigh won the draw control and on the ensuing possession Ricchiazzi put a well placed shot into the cage to make it 2-1. The two teams traded goals one more time as Ricchiazzi complete a hat trick in the open quarter to give UC a 3-2 lead.
Olivia McCarrell made a pair of save with the Patriots playing man-down to keep Cumberlands in front.
The Patriots extended their lead just over a minute into the second quarter as Leigh connected with
Reegan Hensley for a goal making it 4-2. Both defenses continue with strong efforts forcing turnovers as the two teams traded goals in the middle of the period to make it 5-3 in favor of the Patriots. The score remained that way until the 3:30 marks when
Carolina Johnson netted an unassisted goal to give Cumberlands a 6-3 advantage. Both goalies made a save in the closing minutes of the first half to keep the score 6-3 heading into the break.
Lawrence Tech outscored the Patriots 3-0 in the third quarter to even the score at 6-6 heading into the fourth. UC retook the lead early in the fourth quarter as Johnson forced a turnover, scooped the ground ball, and fired it into the back of the cage to make it 7-6 with 14:08 left. Five minutes later Christina Min scooped a ground ball and started a transition as Leigh put a well-placed shot just inside the pipes for a man-down goal giving the Patriots an 8-6 edge with 9:21 left. The Blue Devils added back-to-back goals to even the score at 8-8 with 4:46 remaining. It looked like Ricchiazzi put UC back in front a minute later, however, the goal was waved off. The Patriots rebound as Ricchiazzi connected with Leigh ten seconds later for a man-up goal putting UC back in front 9-8 with 3:50 left. Bella Burke netted the equalizer for Lawrence Tech at the 2:44 mark. Both teams had chance to win it overtime with UC opportunity coming in the closing seconds as
Trinity Brown earned a free position opportunity, however, her shot was saved by Anabelle Acluche to send the game into overtime.
Brown won the opening draw control of overtime, however the Patriots turned over the ball. Lawrence Tech took advantage as Alaina Smythe found Gabi Mithcell for the golden goal at the 4:07 mark of overtime.
Cumberlands game with Madonna that was scheduled for Saturday, February 19, has been cancelled. UC will now return to the field Monday, February 21, when they face seventh-ranked Siena Heights at 5 p.m.
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