Williamsburg, KY – The sixth-ranked Patriots women's lacrosse team overcame multiple goal deficits twice, however, it wasn't enough as they fell to second-ranked Lawrence Tech 13-12 in overtime, Friday night.  This is the second straight overtime game between these two schools with the Blue Devils coming out on top, while UC moves to 1-1 on the season.

Aleyah Belton led the way offensive for the Patriots with four goals, while Bella Ricchiazzi added three goals and an assist.  Anna Lobbezoo chipped in three points and seven draw controls, while Emma Rittman notched a pair of goals, two caused turnovers, and five ground balls.  Koral Hadac scooped five ground balls, while Reegan Hensley and Belton combined for four caused turnovers.

Lawrence Tech jumped out to a 4-0 lead midway through the first quarter before the Patriots started to rally.  After Hensley forced a turnover, Ricchiazzi found Belton cutting towards the cage for a goal cutting the deficit to 4-1 with 7:23 left.  The two teams traded goals, before Lobbezoo netted an unassisted goal to cut the deficit to 5-3.  The freshman won the ensuing draw control and on that possession Belton converted a free position as time expired to cut the deficit to 5-4.

UC carried that moment into the second quarter as a Hadac caused turnover lead to Belton's first hat trick of the season and evened the score at 5-5.  Mia Rask added a free position to put UC in front, before Ricchiazzi scooped a ground ball and fired it into the cage for a man-down goal making it 7-5 with 9:02 remaining.  Lawrence Tech scored two of the next three goals, however Cumberlands took an 8-7 advantage into the break.

Less than a minute into the third quarter the Blue Devils add a goal to tie the game at 8-8.  Both defenses picked up the pressure throughout the quarter limiting the oppositions chances.  The two goalies combined for four saves in the period sending the game into the fourth quarter tied at 8-8.

Lawrence Tech added a pair of goals in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter to take a 10-8 advantage. Cumberlands rallied for a second time as Belton scored her fourth goal of the contest to pull the Patriots within one at 10-9 with 11:17 remaining.   A couple minutes later, Lobbezoo scooped the ground ball off a Lawrence Tech turnover and in the transition found Ricchiazzi for the equalizer with 8:36 left.  Rittman won the ensuing draw control before Lobbezoo put a well-placed shot into the back of the cage to put the Patriots in front 11-10 midway through the fourth.  The two teams traded goals keeping UC in front with 5:49 left.  Lawrence Tech converted the game-tying goal with under a minute left before Olivia McCarell made a save to force the game into overtime.

The Blue Devils won the opening draw control of overtime and on there possession Alaina Smythe four Gabi Mitchell in front of the cage for a goal and the 13-12 final. 

Cumberlands will return to the field Friday, February 24, when they host tenth-ranked Siena Heights.  The game is slated for a 6 p.m. start with live video available here.

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