Williamsburg, KY – The UC women's lacrosse team has created a tradition and history of success with seven straight winning seasons and five consecutive trips the to the NAIA postseason. Cumberlands women's lacrosse, which is in its eighth season, has posted an 81.3% winning percentage and have captured the conference regular season title in each of the last five years. On Wednesday, the Patriots compete in their third NAIA National Tournament with this year's team looking to make some history of their own. 

2023 Season:

Cumberlands enters the tournament with a 16-2 record, including a perfect 7-0 in conference play to capture the AAC regular season title.  The Patriots had a 15-game win streak this season that included six wins over teams that were ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Poll during the season.  UC's success this season has already etched its mark in the program's record books for both individual and team accolades, however, their sights are set on making program history once again with a long postseason run.

The Patriots enter the national tournament leading the NAIA in six statistical categories at both ends of the fields.  UC has notched a NAIA-best 374 goals, 208 assists, and 482 points as the Patriots are averaging 20.78 goals per game.  Defensively, Cumberlands has played stifling defense with a 5.02 goals against average, with 111 saves and a 55.0% save percentage.  The Patriots also lead the NAIA with 348 draw controls on the year, while their 492 ground balls are a program record.    

Right Mix for Postseason Run:

The 2023 Patriots team tallied a program-best 11 AAC All-Conference selection, including seven first time honorees, which is also the most.  This blend of student-athletes has provided the coaching staff with multiple looks and options throughout the season as well as depth at every position.  Offensively, UC has eight players with at least 40 points on the year led by the AAC Player of the Year Bella Ricchiazzi, who has tallied a NAIA leading 87 goals and 134 points.  Ricchiazzi is the Patriots career leading in goals, assists, and points becoming the first player to amass over 300 goals and 200 assists in a career.  Reegan Hensley has notched 76 points on the season, while Aleyah Belton has tallied 20 points of the last three games to be named to the AAC All-Tournament Team and has 54 points on the season.  Morgan Terpstra, Marisa Helsten, and Morgan Tate all have over 40 points on the year.

One of the biggest strengths for the Patriots this season is their freshman trio on draw control, Emma Rittman, Anna Lobbezoo, and Koral Hadac, who have combined for 300 draw controls on the season.  All three earned AAC First-Team All-Conference accolades while Rittman was named the AAC Defensive Player of the Year along with the AAC Freshman of the Year.  Rittman has set a program record with 85 ground balls, while her AAC leading 35 caused turnovers is second in program history, as she has also added 62 points.  Lobbezoo has been essential for Cumberlands positioning the ball on the draw scooping 62 draw controls and 52 ground balls to go along with 43 goals.  Hadac has scooped 90 draw controls on the year, while notching 33 caused turnovers and scooping 54 ground balls.

All four of the Patriots starting defenders earned All-Conference accolades this season along with goalie Olivia McCarrell, who notched all-conference honors for the third straight year.  McCarrell has made 89 saves this season and has a .533 save percentage, which is third in the NAIA.  Christina Min joined Hadac as AAC First Team All-Conference defenders, while Erin Bryant and Madison Rupp were Second Team All-Conference players.  This quartet has been tenacious on the defensive side of the ball limiting their opponents to five goals or fewer in 13 games this season. 

2023 Postseason:

Cumberlands earned the fourth-seed in the NAIA Tournament and will open with the Sun Conference tournament champions SCAD.  While these two teams didn't meet this year they are familiar with one another as they squared off in the quarterfinals of the 2021 National Tournament.  UC is seeking to reach the national semifinals for the fourth time in program history. 

The Patriots quarterfinals game is Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Southfield, MI.  Live video for the game will be available here.

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