Williamsburg, KY – Stephanie Meyer netted the game tying goal with 1:34 remaining in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime but it wasn't enough as the Patriots fell to Keiser 14-13 in overtime in the championship game of the Mid-South Conference tournament Saturday afternoon.  The Patriots will head into the national tournament with an 18-2 record, while the Seahawks improve to 15-3 and captured their second straight MSC title.

Bella Ricchiazzi paced the way for Cumberlands with seven goals and three assists while Stephanie Meyer netted a hattrick in the game.  Rachel Leigh and Katie Wharton finished with two points apiece.  Olivia McCarrell made 13 saves in the game and scooped a team-high five ground balls as Reegan Hensley notched three caused turnovers.

Both defenses came out strong as neither team was able to score in the first seven minutes of play.  Ricchiazzi put the Patriots ahead 1-0 on a free position goal with 7:25 remaining.  McCarrell came up with a stop and on the ensuing transition Carolina Johnson connect with Ricchiazzi for a goal to make it 2-0.  The two teams traded goals and in the closing seconds of the quarter Ricchiazzi found Meyer in front of the cage for a goal to extend the lead to 4-1.

Wharton won the opening draw control of the second quarter and ran a give-and-go with Leigh for a man-down goal to extend the lead to 5-1.  The two teams traded free position goals before Ricchiazzi netted her fourth goal of the contest to make it 7-2 with 9:20 remaining.  Keiser netted three of the final four goals in the period to cut the lead to 8-5 heading into the break.

The Seahawks came out of the break strong with four unanswered goals to take a 9-8 advantage with 11:17 remaining.  Two minutes later, Leigh caused a turnover and on the ensuing possession Ricchiazzi put a well-placed shot into the cage to even the score at 9-9.  UC retook the lead 40 seconds later as Leigh converted a free position opportunity at the 7:25 mark.  Cumberlands defense forced a trio of Seahawks turnovers to close out the quarter as Ricchiazzi netted the go-ahead goal with 21 seconds left to give Cumberlands a 11-10 edge.

McCarrell opened the fourth quarter with a save of a free position opportunity while Ricchiazzi tallied another unassisted goal to make it 12-10 with 11:49 left.  McCarrell recorded three saves, however, Keiser went on a three goal run to retake the lead at 13-12 with 4:22 remaining.  Keiser won the next draw control before Hensley forced the turnover as Christina Min scooped the ground ball with 3:18 left.  UC was looking the equalizer and Meyer scooped a loose ball and fired a shot just inside the far post to tie the game with 1:34 remaining. Keiser looked for a last second goal but the shot sailed high sending the game to overtime.

Valeria Lomaglio won the draw control in overtime and on that possession Madison Andrews netted the game-winning goal with 2:00 minutes left for the 14-13 final.

Cumberlands will now await the seedings for the NAIA National Championships, which is set to be released Sunday, April 24.  The quarterfinals of the NAIA Championships is set for Wednesday, May 4, in Michigan.

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