Ann Arbor, MI – In the closing seconds of overtime Tanner Popovich found Dom Lulow, who put a well-placed shot into the cage for the game-winning goal with five seconds left as the third-ranked Patriots men's lacrosse team won a defensive battle over Concordia 7-6 Saturday afternoon at Ferry Field.  The win improves Cumberlands to 3-0 on the season, while the Cardinals fall to 1-1.

Popovich led the way for UC offensively with two goals, an assists, and three ground balls, while Christian Vanover netted a pair of goals.  Will Rogers and Lulow each had multi-point games in the win.  Chrystian Coleman tallied four caused turnovers and three ground balls as Michael Toohey made 11 saves in the win.

Concordia scored on the first possession of the game before the Patriots responded with a  Nick Kava goal to even the score at 1-1 with 12:28 left in the opening quarter.  The two teams traded possession over the next ten minutes with neither team able to convert, however, the Cardinals added a late goal to take the 2-1 advantage into the second quarter.

Cumberlands found an equalizer on their first possession of the second quarter as Popovich put a well-placed shot into the back of the cage.  Toohey made a pair of saves before Vanover gave UC it's first lead of the game with a goal at the 9:32 mark to make it 3-2 in favor of the Pats.  Both defenses continued to apply the pressure as Cumberlands took a 3-2 lead into the break.

Toohey made a save early in the third quarter and on the ensuing transition Will Rogers connected with Vanover for the goal extending the lead to 4-2 with 11:44 remaining.  Rogers dished out his second assist minutes later as he found Popovich for a man-up goal midway through the quarter.  Concordia cut into the lead with a late third quarter goal making it 5-3.

The Cardinals scored three unanswered goals to open the fourth quarter to take a 6-5 lead with 5:00 minutes left.  Nik Kubik made one of his nine faceoff wins on the day and on the ensuing possession Lulow found Dawson Coltran, who put shot just inside the pipes for the equalizer.  The Patriots looked for the go-ahead goal however Vanover's shot was saved and in the closing second of regulation Coleman forced a turnover and scooped the ground ball to send the game into overtime.

Both teams ended up with a shot clock violation on their first possession of overtime.  The Patriots came out of a timeout with 29 seconds remaining and after working the ball around, Popovich connected with Lulow for game winning goal with five seconds left securing the victory for the Patriots.

Cumberlands returns to home on Saturday, March 4, when they host SCAD in their AAC opener.  The game is set for 12 p.m. with live video available here.

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