Williamsburg, KY – The third-ranked Patriots  men's lacrosse team set the tone early with eight unanswered goals en route to 18-4 conference win over Montreat Saturday afternoon at the UC Lacrosse Complex.  With the win, UC improves to 3-0 on the year and 2-0 in AAC play.

Maalek Wilson led the way breaking the program record with seven assists in the game and finishing with nine points.  Caden Abbott added two goals and two assists, while Evan Barton notched five points.  Nick Kava added his second straight hat tricks.  Michael Adams and Dakota White combined to go 22-25 on faceoffs and combined for 12 ground balls.  Gabe Schwaiger notched six caused turnovers and four ground balls in the win.  

Just over two minutes into the game, Taylor Long forced a turnover and on the ensuing possession, Wilson found Johnathon Vanover for a goal to make it 1-0.  Adams won the next faceoff and on that possession Wilson connected with Kava for a goal to make it 2-0 with 10:51 remaining.  UC notched three straight goals, included Alex Heck netting his first collegiate goal to make it 5-0 with 3:47 remaining.  Tate Crowell and Kava each notched a caused turnover while Barton connected with Abbott for a goal to make it 6-0 after the first quarter.

Schwaiger opened the second quarter with a caused turnover and ground ball.  Offensively, Wilson connected with Kava and Abbott for goals to extend the lead to 8-0.  Jack Bichsel made three saves in the period as Montreat cut the lead to 8-3 at halftime.

In the opening minutes of the third quarter Kava found Barton cutting in front of the cage for a goal to give UC the 9-3 lead.  The two teams traded goals before Wilson connected with Jacob Ingle for his first collegiate goal putting the Pats in front 11-4.  UC tallied three more goals, while Nathan Foskey made two of his three saves in the period giving Cumberlands a 14-4 lead heading into the fourth quarter. 

UC continued their strong defensive effort in the fourth quarter holding the Cavaliers scoreless in the period.  The Patriots added a Kava man-up goal before Barton put a well-placed shot into the cage making it 16-4 midway through the quarter.  In the closing minutes of the quarter Barrett found Mason Miller for his first collegiate goal and the 18-4 final.

The Patriots return to the field Friday, February 28th, when they travel to Livonia, Mi to face tenth-ranked Madonna.  

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