Rome, GA – The sixth-ranked UC women's lacrosse team utilized a six goal run to close out the third quarter en route to a 15-4 season opening win over Shorter Saturday afternoon. It marks the Patriots eighth straight season opening win as six UC players netted goals in the win.
Bella Ricchiazzi led the way with a game-high seven goals and nine points, while Emma Rittman had an impressive debut with four goals, five points, seven draw controls, and three ground balls. Morgan Terpstra added a pair of points and a career-high four ground balls as Koral Hadac finished with a team-best three caused turnovers. Morgan Tate scooped seven draw controls, while Olivia McCarrell made eight saves in the win, with seven of them coming in the first half.
Emma Rittman won the opening draw control and on the ensuing possession Bella Ricchiazzi netted an unassisted goal 30 seconds into the game to put UC in front 1-0. Olivia McCarrell stopped the first shot she faced before Morgan Terpstra put a well-placed shot into the cage to make it 2-0. Cumberlands defense continued to picked up their intensity keeping the Hawks off the board. UC took advantage of a Shorter card as Koral Hadac netted a man-up goal to extend the lead to 3-0 with 5:04 left. Shorter get on the board to cut UC's lead to 3-1 after the opening quarter.
UC opened the second quarter as Ricchiazzi netted her second goal of the game to extend the Patriots advantage to 4-1. The two teams traded goals over the next two minutes, before UC clamped down on the defensive end. McCarrell made three saves to preserve Cumberlands 5-2 lead heading into halftime.
Shorter cut the lead to 5-3 midway through the third quarter, before UC scored six unanswered to close out the period. Morgan Tate found Marisa Helsten to open the scoring, before Emma Rittman added a pair making it 8-3 with 4:58 remaining. Ricchiazzi added two goals and dished out an assist to Anna Lobbezoo for her first collegiate goal making it 11-3 heading into the fourth quarter.
Both teams added a goal in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter, before Rittman found Ricchiazzi cutting towards the cage making it 13-4 with 9:37 remaining. The score remained that way until the 2:31 mark when Rittman added a free position goal, while Ricchiazzi capped off the day with her seventh goal for the 15-4 final.
UC won the draw control battle 18-5 in the game and went a perfect 15-15 on clears.
The Patriots will return to action on Friday, February 17, when they host #2 Lawrence Tech in their home opener. First draw is set for 6 p.m. with live video available here.
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