Waleska, GA – The third-ranked UC men's lacrosse team came into the semifinals looking to avenge an early season loss to second-seed Tennessee Wesleyan and they netted nine unanswered over the first three quarters en route to a 12-2 win Saturday afternoon.  With the win the Patriots advance to their fourth straight AAC title game, while improving to 12-3 on the season.

Will Settle led the way for Cumberlands finishing with 11 saves in 54 minutes of play.  Offensively, UC utilized a balanced attack as the trio of Thomas Fogarty, Christian Vanover, and Dylan Crouch combined for 12 points in the win.  Vanover netted the lone hattrick of the game and scooped a team-high four ground balls.  Five players scooped a trio of ground balls in the win.

Just over three minutes into the game, Tate Crowell forced a turnover and on the ensuing possession Vanover put a well-placed shot into the cage to make it 1-0.  Settle made four saves over the course of ten minutes to keep the Bulldogs off the board while Fogarty and Dom Lulow each added a goal to put the Patriots in front 3-0 after the first quarter.

UC continued their strong effort in the second quarter as Crouch netted a man-up goal to make it 4-0 with 11:24 remaining.  Neither team was able to convert as UC was able to run out a pair man-down opportunity before Lulow netted his second goal of the game to make it 5-0 at the break. 

Cumberlands offense continue to control the possession the third quarter as Fogarty and Vanover added goals just over a minute apart to make it 7-0 with 7:47 left.  Vanover's goal was assisted by Breckn Sharkey, his first of the game.  UC capitalized on a Tennessee Wesleyan penalty as Tanner Popovich and Nick Kava added man-up goals extending the lead to 9-0.  Jake Moregan added a caused turnover later in the quarter to keep the score at 9-0.

After the Bulldogs got on the board, Vanover found Crouch cutting in front of the cage to make it 10-1 with 9:39 left.  Nik Kubik won the next faceoff and on the ensuing possession Crouch dished out an assist to Breckin Sharkey to make it 11-1.  The two teams traded goals as Michael Toohey made a save in the closing minutes for the 12-2 final.

UC  outshot Tennessee Wesleyan 40-27 in the game, while the Patriots held the Bulldogs scoreless on four man-up opportunities.

Cumberlands will face Reinhardt for the AAC tournament title Saturday, April 23, in Waleksa, GA.  The game is set for a 1 p.m. start.

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