Williamsburg, KY – The third-ranked Patriots women's lacrosse team overcame a slow start as four players netted at least three goals as UC defeated seventh-ranked Missouri Baptist 18-13 Tuesday night at the UC Lacrosse Complex.  With the win, Cumberlands improves to 8-0 on the year, marking the first time starting 8-0 since 2021.

Emma Rittman led the way with six points, 15 draw controls, and three ground balls.  She has surpassed 250 draw controls for her career.  Morgan Terpstra tallied five points, while Aleyah Belton netted four goals, including the 100^th of her career to go along with six ground balls.  Anna Lobbezoo notched three points to go along with five ground balls.  Hannah Yates and Mia Bosah combined for seven saves in the game, while Koral Hadac notched a goal and seven draw controls.

Cumberlands looked to strike first but couldn't convert as a Belton shot deflected off the post.  The Spartans scored twice early to jump out the 2-0 lead before Rittman netted an unassisted goal to make it 2-1.  Missouri Baptist added a man-up goal to take a 3-1 edge after the first period.

Lydia Cornett scored 10 seconds into the second quarter to extend Missouri Baptist lead to 4-1.  Yates made one of her four saves before Terpstra connected with Rittman for a goal to cut the deficit to 4-2.  Hadac won the draw control and on the ensuing possession, Rittman found Hadac cutting towards the cage for a goal to pull UC within one at 4-3.  The score remained that way until the 7:56 mark when Mia Rask found Lobbezoo for the equalizer.  The two teams traded goals before Rask found Rittman cutting towards the cage for her third goal of the game to five Cumberlands the 7-6 advantage at half.

The Patriots made halftime adjustments, came out and won the first five draw controls of the third quarter and turned them into five goals to take a 12-6 lead.  Terpstra  notched a goal and an assists on that run, while Belton scored three times, including her 100^th career goal. After the two teams traded goals, Ashlee Baker connected with Lobbezoo for a goal to make it 14-7 with 11:04 remaining.  Terpsta and Rask each added a goal in the closing minutes of the quarter as UC took a 16-9 lead into the fourth quarter.

Bosah opened the final period with a save as the two teams traded goals.  Minutes later, the Patriots took advantage of a Spartans turnover as Marisa Helsten scooped the ground ball and Baker scored the unassisted goal to make it 18-10 with 9:30 remaining.  Missouri Baptist closed out with three straight goals for the 18-13 final.

Cumberlands outshot Missouri Baptist 40-27 in the game and held a 25-11 advantage in draw controls.

UC will return to the field Saturday, March 16, when they travel to Adrian, MI to face Siena Heights.  The game is slated to begin at 2 p.m.

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