Waleska, GA - Facing their second consecutive top-ten opponent, the third-ranked Patriots jumped out to an early lead but wasn't enough as they fell to sixth-ranked Reinhardt 9-8 Friday night.  With the win, the Eagles improve to 9-2 on the season and 5-1 in conference play, while the Patriots move to 7-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play.

Dylan Crouch led the way for the Patriots with a hatrick, while Thomas Fogarty added two goals and an assist.   Tanner Popovich, Dom Lulolw, and Christian Vanover each tallied a goal and an assist in the game.  Jake Morgan led the Patriots defense with three caused turnovers and two ground balls, while Schylar Chapman notched a pair of caused turnovers and ground balls.  Will Settle finished with six saves in the contest. 

The Patriots defense came out strong with Will Settle making a pair of saves, while Schylar Chapman forced a turnover in the first three minutes of play.  That turnover led to a Patriots goal as Dylan Crouch went top-self off an assist from Dom Lulow to give UC the 1-0 lead.   After Chapman forced a turnover on a man-down situation, Tanner Popovich dodged from the left side and put a well-placed shot into the cage to extend the lead to 2-0 with 7:46 left in the first quarter.  The Patriots defense continued it intensity as UC took a 2-1 lead into the second quarter.

Reinhardt took advantage of a Patriots penalty and netted a man-up goal to even the score at 2-2 a minute into the second quarter.  The Eagles took the lead but UC responded quickly as Tate Crowell caused a turnover and on the transition Dylan Crouch fired a shot into the back of the cage making it 3-3 with 10:55 remaining.  Nik Kubik won the ensuing faceoff and on that possession Popovich connected with Lulow cutting in front of the cage to put UC back in front 4-3.  UC extended their lead minutes later as Jake Morgan scooped a ground ball off an Eagles turnover and on the transition Chrystian Coleman connected with Crouch for a goal making it 5-3.  The Patriots defense has continued their strong effort holding Reinhardt without a goal over the final ten minutes of the half to take a 5-3 advantage in to the break.

UC extended their lead five minutes into the third quarter as Christian Vanover found Thomas Fogarty cutting across the middle for a one-timer to make it 6-3.  Settle added a pair of saves a minute later as UC kept their three-goal lead.  After Reinhardt cut the score to 6-5, Fogarty wrapped from behind the cage and fired a shot just inside the pipes to give the Patriots a 7-5 advantage with 3:42 remaining.  UC looked to extend their lead, however, couldn't convert as the took a 7-5 edge into the fourth quarter.

Reinhardt added two goals within a 30 second span to even the score 7-7 with 9:17 remaining.  The Patriots looked to retake the lead as they fired four shots before Fogarty found Vanover for the go-ahead goal with 6:21 remaining.  Titus Thind score twice for Reinhardt to put the Eagles in front 9-8 with 1:51 remaining. Cumberlands forced two Reinhardt turnovers to give retake the possession within the final minute.  The Patriots looked for the equalizer but the shot sailed high for the 9-8 final.
 
The Patriots return home on Wednesday, April 6, to face Point in their home finale.  The game is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m.

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