NAIA Women's Lacrosse Coaches Poll

Kansas City, MO – Coming off there fourth straight trip to the NAIA National Tournament, the University of the Cumberlands women's lacrosse team tallied 57 points to be ranked sixth in the NAIA Top Ten Coaches' Poll released by the national office Wednesday.

The Patriots went 18-3 on the season, which was the second most wins in program history for a single season as the Patriots captured the MSC North Division title for the second consecutive year.  UC has now notched the regular season title in each of the last four seasons.

Cumberlands led the NAIA in goals (400), assists (233), and points (633), while limiting opponents to 5.78 goals against average which is second best in the NAIA.   The Patriots also led the NAIA in draw controls with 367 as Trinity Brown, the NAIA leader, collected 167 of them.

UC had six players tally at least 50 points on the season led by the NAIA Player of the Year Bella Ricchiazzi, who finished with 100 goals, 61 assists, and 161 points.  Reegan Hensley, a NAIA Second Team All-American closed out the year with 82 points, while Stephanie Meyer and Rachel Leigh tallied 79 and 57 points respectively.

The Patriots backline was led by NAIA First Team All-Americans Brown and Olivia McCarrell.  Brown set the single season record in caused turnovers and draw controls, while McCarrell made 130 saves and posted a NAIA best 54.9% save percentage.  Erin Bryant, Jael Cobb, and Hannah Churhcley were also part of that UC defense that hounded opponents throughout the season.

NAIA champion Benedictine received all seven first place votes to be atop the poll, while Lawrence Tech finished the year ranked second.

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