Southfield, MI – The four-seed Patriots women's lacrosse team overcame a third quarter five-goal deficit, however, it was enough as UC fell to fifth-seed SCAD 16-15 in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Tournament Wednesday afternoon.  Cumberlands closes out the season with a 16-3 record. 

Bella Ricchiazzi led the way for UC breaking the NAIA tournament record with eight goals, while she tied the NAIA record with 10 points in the game.  Reegan Hensley added four goals, while Emma Rittman notched two goals, an assists, and 12 draw controls in the game.  Morgan Terpstra dished out a pair of assists, while Aleyah Belton notched three caused turnovers and three ground balls.  Olivia McCarrell finished with nine saves in the game.

Cumberlands struck first as Marisa Helsten found Rittman cutting towards the cage for a goal two minutes into the first quarter.  Rittman scooped the draw control and found Ricchiazzi for a goal ten seconds later to make it 2-0.  McCarrell made a pair of saves, however, SCAD took the 3-2 lead after the opening period.

Ricchiazzi won the opening draw control of the second quarter and scored twice in a minute-span to give UC a 4-3 lead.  Rittman won the next draw control and Four Anna Lobbezoo in front of the cage for a goal making it 5-3.  SCAD netted three straight goals before Ricchiazzi cut and found Rittman for a goal to tie the game at 6-6 with 3:44 remaining.  The Bees retook the lead with two straight goals to have the 8-6 advantage at half.

SCAD added four of the first five goals in the third quarter to take a 12-7 advantage with 7:35 left.  From that point UC started to rally with three straight goals from Ricchiazzi to cut the deficit to 12-10 with 3:57 remaining.  Hensley added an unassisted goal at the 3:12 mark to pull the Patriots within one.  Just over a minute later, Lobbezoo forced a turnover as Madison Rupp begin the transition which resulted in Terpstra finding Hensley in front of the cage for the equalizer as the game was 12-12 entering the fourth quarter.

The Bees retook the lead before Ricchiazzi found Hensley for her third goal of the game to even the score at 13-13 with 11:00 minutes remaining.  Rittman added a caused turnovers turnover and McCarrell made a save before Hensely put Cumberlands back in front 14-13 with 8:08 left in the quarter.  After the game was tied, Belton dished out an assist to Ricchiazzi for man-down goal to put the Patriots up 15-14 with 5:15 left.  After a yellow card on the Patriots, Mia Bosah came in and stopped a free position attempt to keep UC in front.  SCAD added a pair of goals in the closing minute of the game including the game-winner with five seconds left for the 16-15 final.

Cumberlands won the draw control battle 19-15.  This caps off an impressive season the Patriots that including capturing the AAC regular season championship and have 11 AAC All-Conference selections.

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