Pensacola, FL – Facing one of the top offenses in the NAIA, the third-seed Cumberlands men's lacrosse team held second-seed Indiana Tech to its second lowest offensive output of the season, however, it wasn't enough as the Patriots fell 7-6 in the semifinals of the NAIA National Invitational, Thursday night. UC closes out the season with a 13-6 record, which ties the program record for wins in a season.
Will Rogers led the way offensively for UC with a goal and three assists, while
Tanner Popovich netted a pair of goals.
Dom Lulow added two points in the game.
Michael Toohey made 13 saves to set a Patriots NAIA Tournament record with 33 saves over the two games.
Chrystian Coleman,
Gabe Schwaiger,
Taylor Long, and
Chandler Muth notched a pair of caused turnovers each.
Both teams came out with strong defensive efforts trading possession back-and-forth in the opening minutes. Just over four minutes into the game Muth forced a Warriors turnover and on the ensuing possession Lulow connected with
Christian Vanover for a goal to give Cumberlands the early 1-0 lead. After Indiana Tech tied the score, Rogers found Lulow cutting towards the cage for a goal to make it 201 with 5:18 remaining in the first quarter. Indiana Tech added two goals to close out the opening quarter and take a 3-2 lead.
The Patriots wasted no time in the second quarter looking for the equalizer as Popovich tallied an unassisted goal three minutes into the period. Tarte Crowell won the ensuing faceoff and on that possession, Rogers found Popovich dodging towards the cage for a goal to make it 4-3 with 10:33 remaining. Toohey made a pair of saves and Schwaiger forced two Warriors turnover, however, the teams went into halftime tied at 4-4.
Toohey continued to anchor the Patriots defense in the third quarter making three of his five third quarter saves in the first five minutes of action to keep the score tied. The two teams traded goals, before Rogers dodged from behind the cage, absorbed the contact, and put a well-placed shot into the net to give Cumberlands a 6-5 advantage with 3:21 remaining. Indiana Tech added a late goal to send the game into the fourth quarter tied at 6-6.
UC's defense continued to hold the Warriors in check as Toohey added four saves through the first six minutes of the fourth period. The Patriots had multiple shots in the middle of the quarter, however, couldn't convert as Indiana Tech's goalie made a pair of stops. The game remained tied until the 2:39 mark when Dein Macomber netted an unassisted goal for the Warriors to give them a 7-6 advantage. UC had two chances but couldn't convert as Indiana Tech held on for the 7-6 final.
Cumberlands man-down defense was flawless in the game, holding Indiana Tech scoreless on seven man-up opportunities.
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