Williamsburg, KY – The third-ranked UC women's lacrosse team kicked off their 2025 season with a 16-10 win over Siena Heights Saturday afternoon at the UC Lacrosse Complex.  The win is the programs tenth straight season opening victory.

Emma Rittman led the way with four goals, an assists, 12 draw controls and four ground balls.  Anna Lobbezoo and Ashlee Baker each notched five points, while Marisa Helsten netted three goals.  Morgan Tate added three points and three draw controls.  Mia Bosah and Mikayla Kimsey combined for five saves in the contest.

Both teams came out struggling to get into a rhythm offensively, however, UC jumped out to a lead as Lobbezoo connected with Rittman for a goal at the 8:04 mark.  Siena Heights evened the score before Helsten put a well-positioned shot off a free position giving UC a 2-1 edge with 1:47 remaining.  The Saints looked for the equalizer however were turned away by Bosah giving the Pats a 2-1 lead after the opening period.

Siena Heights evened the score before Rittman won the draw and scored a goal 11 seconds later to make it 3-2.  After the Saints took a 4-3 lead, Helsten found Lobbezoo cutting towards the cage for a goal, before Baker and Lobbezoo converted  free-positions making it 5-4 Patriots with 4:42 remaining.  Siena Heights tied the score at 6-6 before UC won the draw and on that possession Florence Andrieu found Helsten for a goal putting Cumberlands in front 7-6 at the break.

The score was tied one more time before a Rittman goal sparked a three goal Patriot run, that was capped off with a Tate free position to make it 10-7 with 9:11 remaining.  The two teams traded goals before Lobbezoo and Tate converted for goals extending the lead to 13-8 heading into the fourth quarter.  In the closing minute of the period Mikayla Kimsey made her first collegiate save.

Cumberlands extended their lead to 14-8 on a man-up goal as Rittman found Baker in front of the cage for the score.  Siena Heights netted two of the next three goals before Tessa Lisy found Andrieu for a goal for the 16-10 final. 

UC returns to the field Sunday, February 16^th, when they host (RV) St. Thomas.  The game is slated to begin at 3 p.m.

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