Williamsburg, KY – The fourth-ranked Patriots men's lacrosse team had six different players record at least three-points in the 16-8 win over (RV) SCAD Saturday afternoon at the UC Lacrosse Complex.  With the win, the Patriots improve to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in AAC play.

Johnathon Vanover led the way with three goals and two assists, while Maalek Wilson notched five points.  Dennis Smith and Nick Kava each tallied hat tricks, as Will Rogers recorded four points.  Jack Bichsel made seven saves and scooped a team-high four ground balls.

It was a defensive battle in the first quarter as SCAD jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a goal just over a minute in.  Both teams continued to create opportunities over the next few minutes until Evan Barton forced a turnover on a clear, while Maalek Wilson netted an unassisted goal to even the score at 1-1 with 8:17 remaining.  Jack Bichsel made a save and on the ensuing transition, Dennis Smith connected with Will Rogers for a goal putting the Patriots in front.  The score remained that way until the closing second of the period as Smith and Barton each netted a goal in the final 25 seconds to extend UC's lead to 4-1.

Dakota White won the opening faceoff of the second quarter and on that possession Wilson found a cutting Nick Kava for a goal to make it 5-1.  Ashton Clayburn tallied a pair of ground balls and a caused turnover before Wilson connected with Kava for the second straight goal.  The score remained that way until midway through the quarter as Alex Heck found Smith for his second strike of the period to give UC the 7-1 lead with 6:59 left.  After the Bees netted two of the next three goals, Rogers found Kava in front of the cage to complete his hattrick, giving the Patriots a 9-3 lead at half.

SCAD opened the third quarter with four straight goals to cut the lead to 9-7 with 9:00 remaining. White won the next faceoff and on the ensuing possession Vanover put a well-placed shot into the cage to extend the lead.  Cumberlands tallied a quartet of caused turnovers while Vanover found Smith for a goal to give UC the 11-7 lead heading into the fourth period.

Two minutes into the fourth quarter, a Caden Abbott goal off an assist from Rogers extend the lead to 12-7.  Bichsel made a pair of saves over the remainder of the period, while Cumberlands netted three straight goals, capped off with a Mason Miller goal to make it 15-7 with 7:10 remaining.  Both teams scored a goal in the closing minutes for the 16-8 final.

Cumberlands returns to the field on Thursday, March 13, when they travel to West Palm Beach, Fl to face top-ranked Keiser.  The game is slated to begin at 6 p.m.

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