Fort Wayne, IN – The fourth-ranked Cumberlands men's lacrosse team scored early and utilized a late defensive stand to defeat #4 Indiana Tech 8-7, Saturday afternoon.  The win was the Patriots first win in Fort Wayne, IN in program history and improves UC to 5-0 on the year, while the Warriors move to 5-1.

Nick Kava led the way for Cumberlands with three goals, while Maalek Wilson notched a goal and two assists.  Evan Barton added two goals and an assist in the win.  Dakota White went 7-10 on faceoffs and scooped three ground balls.  Gabe Schwaiger and Taylor Long combined for four caused turnovers and five ground balls.  Jack Bichsel made 13 saves to improve to 5-0 as a Patriot.

UC won the opening possession and after putting a couple shots on frame broke through with a Kava goal to take the 1-0 lead.  Bichsel added a save before Dennis Smith found a cutting Evan Barton for a goal to give UC the 2-0 advantage. Bichsel added a save, while the Patriots defense recorded four caused turnovers to take a 2-0 lead after the opening period.

Both goalies made saves to open the second quarter and a Gabe Schwaiger caused turnover led to Wilson finding Kava for a goal to make it 3-0 in favor of the Patriots with 10:23 remaining.  After the two teams traded goals, Cumberlands worked it around as Barton found Caden Abott for a goal to make it 5-1 with 2:56 remaining in the first half.  Indiana Tech added a late goal, however, UC took the 5-2 lead into half.

Bichsel made a save as Cumberlands killed a penalty to open the third quarter.  Both defenses continue to step up their pressure, forcing both offensives to slow down the pace.  The Warriors scored back-to-back goals to pull within 5-4, however the Patriots  won the next faceoff and on that possession Johnathon Vanover found Kava for his third goal of the game pushing the lead to 6-4 with 3:28 remaining.  The Patriots defense forced a shot clock violation and didn't allow a shot on frame as UC took the 6-4 lead into the fourth quarter.

Less than a minute into the fourth period, Indiana Tech netted a goal to cut the lead to 6-5.  The Warriors looked for the equalizer however the shot deflected off the crossbar keeping UC in front.  A minute later Wilson put a well-placed shot into the cage to extend the lead to 7-5 with 11:36 remaining.  Cumberlands defense was on their heels and continued to pressure the Warriors, who scored a man-up goal to pull within one midway through the quarter.  With 5:42 remaining Bichsel made a save and on the ensuing transition Mason Miller found Evan Barton for a goal to make it 8-6.  The Patriots looked for an insurance goal, however, Indiana Tech scored with 2:35 remaining to pull within a goal.  In the closing minutes of the game Taylor Long forced a turnover, while Bichsel made his 13^th save of the contest as Cumberlands ran out the clock for the 8-7 win.
 
The Patriots will return home to face (RV) SCAD Savannah on Saturday, March 8^th.  The game is slated to begin at 12 p.m.
 
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