Williamsburg, KY – Third-ranked Patriots men's lacrosse team opened AAC play with a statement defeating SCAD 10-0 Saturday afternoon at the UC Lacrosse Complex.  It's Cumberlands second shutout in program history and first in conference play as the Patriots improve to 4-0 on the season.

Christian Vanover led the way for UC offensively with four goals, two assists and six points, while Will Rogers dished out four assists.  Dawson Coltran also notched multiple goals in the win.  Nik Kubik went 10-11 on faceoffs in the game and scooped seven ground balls.

Michael Toohey made 11 save between the pipes for his first career shutout win.  Chrystian Coleman tallied five caused turnovers to go along with three ground balls, while five other Patriots notched two caused turnovers apiece. Taylor Long scooped four ground balls in the win.

The Patriots strike first as Dom Lulow cuts towards the middle of the field and fires a shot into the cage to make it 1-0, two minutes into the first quarter.  Two minutes later, Will Rogers found Christian Vanover cutting in front of the cage for a goal to make it 2-0.  Rogers than finds a cutting Dawson Coltran, who went upper corner of the cage to extend the lead to 3-0 midway through the first quarter.  UC outshot SCAD 12-3 in the first quarter however couldn't add more goals over the final eight minutes.

UC's defense continue their strong defensive effort, while Rogers added a wrap around goal to give the Patriots a 4-0 advantage with 9:28 left in the first half.  Michael Toohey continued to hold the Bees at-bay with his fifth save of the game to keep them off the board. Tanner Popovich took advantage of a SCAD penalty as Vanover connected with him for a man-up goal.  The score remained that way until the closing minute of the half as Vanover scored twice to tally a hat trick and give Cumberlands the 7-0 lead at the break.

Vanover continued to be the catalyst for the Patriots offense as he found Nick Kava for a goal two minutes into the third quarter.  Coltran netted his second goal of the game before the Rogers-Vanover connection struck again making it 10-0 after three quarters.  UC forced nine turnovers in the period, while Toohey added a pair of saves.

Cumberlands continued to be ferocious on the defensive side, hounding the Bees every possession.  SCAD looked to break the shutout midway through the fourth quarter, however, a pair of saves by Toohey kept the score 10-0.  UC stifling defense held strong for the 10-0 final.

It marks UC's first shutout since February 25, 2017 when they shutout Clarke 16-0.  The Patriots outshot the Bees 48-16 in the game and went 11-14 on faceoffs.

The Patriots will return to the field Tuesday, March 7, when they host ninth-ranked Benedictine.  The game is slated to begin at 7 p.m. with live video available here.

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