West Palm Beach, FL – In a game that saw six lead changes and six ties it was Bella Ricchiazzi's unassisted goal with 4:07 remaining that proved to be the difference as the second-ranked Cumberlands women's lacrosse team knocked off top-ranked Keiser 13-12 Thursday afternoon at the KU Multi-Purpose Field.  It marks the first time in program history that Cumberlands has knocked off a top-ranked team as they improve to 8-1 on the season, while the Seahawks move to 6-2 overall.

Ricchiazzi set the tone for UC and led them with a season-high six goals, ten points, and three caused turnovers in the win.  It marks the fourth time in her career that she has notched double-digit points in a game.  Reegan Hensley added a hat trick, while Aleyah Belton, Rachel Leigh, and Carolina Johnson all finished with a pair of points.

The Patriots defense was led by Olivia McCarrell, who made 11 saves between the pipes to go along with five ground balls and two caused turnovers.  Trinity Brown scooped five draw controls and was tied with Belton for a team-high four caused turnovers. With those four caused turnovers Brown becomes the program's career leader with 85.  Morgan Tate added two caused turnovers and a pair of ground balls. 

Keiser struck first with a transition goal for Melanie Brown two minutes into the game.  The Patriots responded quickly winning the ensuing draw control.  On UC's possession, Bella Ricchiazzi circle behind the cage and dished off a pass to Reegan Hensley for a goal a minute later.  Cumberlands took the lead a couple minutes later as Carolina Johnson found Ricchiazzi for goal.  The UC defense continue to apply pressure as Trinity Brown forced the turnover, which was her 82^nd of her career making her the program's career leader. The Patriots continued to control the possession as Ricchiazzi connected with Hensley for her second goal of the game extending the lead to 3-1 with 5:31 remaining.  Keiser looked to cut into the lead, however, McCarrell turned them away twice, while Aleyah Belton added an unassisted goal to extend the lead to 4-1. Keiser added a late goal to cut the lead to 4-2 after the opening period.

The Seahawks netted four goals in the first five minutes of the second quarter to take a 6-4 edge with 10:35 remaining.  Cumberlands took advantage of a Seahawks' penalty as Ricchiazzi cut towards the middle of the field and split two defenders for a man-up goal cutting the deficit to 6-5 with 5:23 left.  Keiser netted two of the final three goals on the period with Ricchiazzi finding Carolina Johnson in front of the cage for a well placed shot into the goal as the Patriots trail 8-6 at the break.

Both teams came out of the break with strong defensive effort as both teams struggled to get shots.  Cumberlands cuts the deficit to 8-7 as Ricchiazzi puts a free position attempt just inside the pipes at the 5:15 mark.  The Framingham, MA native adds another goal a minute later to even the score at 8-8 with 4:37 left.   McCarrell intercepted a Seahawks pass and on the ensuing Patriots possession Rachel Leigh found Ricchiazzi cutting towards the cage for a goal putting UC in front 9-8 with 2:58 left.  Keiser added a pair of goals in the closing minutes to take a 10-9 edge into the fourth.

Morgan Tate won the opening draw control of the fourth quarter as Leigh finds Stephanie Meyer for the equalizer 44 seconds into the period.  Meyer collected the next draw control and on that possession Belton put a well-placed shot into the upper left corner of the cage putting UC in front 11-10 with 13:10 left.  Cumberlands continued to pick up the defensive intensity pressuring Keiser as the Patriots extended their lead with Hensley netting her third goal of the day off an assist from Ricchiazzi with 8:24 remaining. 

After a long rain delay, McCarrell came up with a big save on a free-position opportunity, before Keiser tied the game with 5:06 remaining.  Brown won the draw control and on that possession Ricchiazzi made a double move to beat the defender and score the goal to put UC back in front with 4:07 remaining.  After a second rain delay, the Patriots defense forced three turnovers and pressured Keiser as the clock expired for the 13-12 final.

Cumberlands returns to the field Saturday, March 19, when they travel to Babson Park, FL to face (RV) Webber.  First draw is set for 3:30 p.m. with live video available here.

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