Montreat, NC – The second-ranked UC women's lacrosse team had ten different players net at least one goal as the Patriots defeated St. Andrews 16-4 Saturday afternoon at the Cavaliers Lacrosse Complex.  UC outscored the Knights 14-3 over the final three quarters to improve to 4-1 on the season.

Bella Ricchiazzi led the way for UC with three goals, four assists, and four ground balls, while Stephanie Meyer added five points.  Reagan Hensley, Carolina Johnson, and Katie Wharton each finished with multiple goals in the win. 

Olivia McCarrel earned her third win on the season making eight saves, scooping seven ground balls, while forcing a pair of turnovers.  Rachel Leigh grabbed six draw controls as Trinity Brown notched four draw controls and three caused turnovers in the game.

UC struck first as Ricchiazzi converted a free position attempt two minutes into the game.  Brown scooped the ensuing draw control and as UC pushed the ball up the field Meyer connected with a cutting Hensley to make it 2-0 with 12:32 remaining.  Both defenses increased their intensity forcing turnovers and making in difficult for either offense to get into a rhythm as UC took a 2-1 lead after the first quarter.

The Patriots extended their lead early in the third quarter as Johnson scooped a ground ball and Morgan Tate dished out an assist to Leigh making it 3-1.  The two teams traded goals, before Ricchiazzi found Meyer cutting in front of the cage for a goal to make it 5-2 with 6:43 remaining.  Johnson added a man-up goal before Hensley found Belton, who put a well-placed shot into the cage to extend the lead to 7-2.  UC took advantage of a Knights' penalty and added a man-up goal in the closing seconds to take an 8-2 advantage into the break.

Cumberlands continued their offensive output in the second half as Meyer and Morgan Terpstra recorded goals in the first five minutes of the third quarter.  Ricchiazzi scored one and dished out a pair of assists for the Patriots final three goals of the quarter as they extended their lead to 13-3. 

The two teams traded goals to open the fourth quarter before Brown notch a draw control and Meyer found Marisa Helsten for a goal to make it 15-4 with 6:32 left.  St. Andrews looked to cut into the lead more, however, Mia Bosah made the stop keeping the score 15-4.  Tate added her second goal of the game in the closing seconds for the 16-4 final.

UC outshot St. Andrews 43-17 in the game, while the Patriots scooped 24 ground balls in the win.

Cumberlands will return to the field Saturday, March 5, when they host (RV) Missouri Baptist.  First draw is set for noon.

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