Williamsburg, KY – The fourth-ranked UC men's lacrosse team saw a pair of hat tricks and forced 29 turnovers as they defeated (RV) Webber 9-5 in the season opener Saturday afternoon.  It marks the fourth consecutive year that the Patriots have won their season opener, while the Warriors move to 3-2 on the season.

Dylan Crouch and Dawson Coltran led the way for UC with three goals apiece, while Thomas Fogarty added a goal and an assist in the win.  Jake Morgan scooped nine ground balls and three caused turnovers in the win, while four Patriots finished with four ground balls each.  Chrystian Coleman forced three turnovers and played a key role in UC's transition game.  Will Settle earned the win after making 11 saves between the pipes.

The Patriots defense came out strong limiting the Warriors to just six shots, while forcing seven turnovers in the first quarter.  UC offense got started by Crouch as he wrapped around the cage and put a well-placed shot into the upper 90 to make it 1-0 five minutes in.  UC continued to dominate the possession as Nick Kava netted his first collegiate goal at the 4:00 mark to make it 2-0.  A minute later, Tanner Popovich forced a Webber turnover and on the ensuing possession Dom Lulow found Dawson Coltran for the goal making it 3-0 after the opening quarter.

Settle made three straight saves to open the second quarter before Webber added a goal to cut the lead to 3-1.  The Patriots defense forced another Warrior turnover as Taylor Long scooped the ground ball and found Fogarty for the transition goal to push the lead back to three, 4-1, midway through the second quarter.  The two teams traded goals over the final minutes of the quarter as UC took a 5-2 edge into the break.

Cumberlands' transition game continued to be strong in the third quarter as Long forced the turnover, while Coleman dished out an assist to Christian Vanover to make it 6-2 with 11:12 left in the third.  UC took advantage of a Warriors penalty as Popovich found Coltran for a man-up goal to make it 7-2 midway through the third quarter.  Webber added back-to-back goals to cut it to 7-4 heading into the final period.

Morgan and Coleman combined for a trio of caused turnovers in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter.  Cumberlands extend their lead as Fogarty found Crouch, who put a shot just inside the pipes for a goal to double up Webber 8-4 with 9:14 remaining.  Both defenses continued their strong showing keeping that scoring until the final couple minutes where the traded goals for the 9-5 final.

Cumberlands finished the game 24-30 on clears, including a perfect 14-14 in the second half.

The Patriots will return to the field Friday when they host sixth-ranked Concordia at 5 p.m.  Live video of the game will be available here, while live stats are available here.

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