Patriots Post 17-6 Win over #7 Siena Heights
Adrian, MI – The second-ranked UC women's lacrosse team jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as they defeated #7 Siena Heights 17-6 Monday afternoon at O'Laughlin Stadium.  With the win, UC improve to 3-1 on the season, while the Saints move to 0-1 after their season opener.

Bella Ricchiazzi led the way for UC with four goals and three assists, while Carolina Johnson netted just her second career hat trick in the win. Stephanie Meyer and Rachel Leigh each added three points, as Leigh also scooped five draw controls in the win.  Christina Min added nine draw controls, while Olivia McCarrell made seven saves in the win.

The Patriots defense came out strong holding the Saints scoreless in the opening period as Olivia McCarrell made a save three minutes in.  Two minutes later, Aleyah Belton forced a turnover and on the ensuing possession Rachel Leigh converted a free position attempt to put UC ahead 1-0.  The two teams traded possession over the next several minutes until the 3:08 mark when Ricchiazzi found Johnson in front of the cage for a goal to make it 2-0.  In the closing seconds of the quarter, Stephanie Meyer dished out an assist to Ricchiazzi who put a well-placed shot into the cage extending the lead to 3-0.

UC added a pair of goals in the first five minutes of the second quarter to give the Patriots a 5-0 lead.  Siena Heights got on the board midway through the period to cut the lead to 5-1.  Leigh won the next draw control and on the ensuing possession Ricchiazzi netted an unassisted goal to extend the lead to 6-1 midway through the second quarter.  Both teams looked to added goals in the closing minutes of the first half, however, both goalies turned them away for the 6-1 lead at the break. 

Cumberlands defense forced a pair of turnovers in the opening minutes of the period.  On the offensive end, Leigh found Reegan Hensley for her second goal of the game to make it 7-1, five minutes into the third quarter.  Belton and Morgan Tate each added a goal to make it 9-1 midway through the period.  Siena Heights added a pair of goals, before Hensley and Christina Min each scooped a draw control resulting in Patriot goals from Ricchiazzi and Wharton extending their lead to 11-3 with 1:33 left.  McCarrell made a pair of saves in the final minute to preserve the 11-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Siena Heights netted three straight goals to the open the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 11-6 with 13:29 remaining.  The Patriots responded with four goals in a two minute span.  Katie Wharton begin the scoring run, while Johnson and Meyer each added a goal making it 14-6.  Meyer than dished out her second assist this time to Belton giving UC a 15-6 lead with 7:13 left.  UC added a pair of goals, including a man-up goal from Morgan Terpstra for the 17-6 final.
The Patriots will return to the field Saturday, February 26, when they host St. Andrews.  Game time is set for 2 p.m.

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