Savannah, GA – Facing fifth-seed Reinhardt for the third time this season, it was a six quarter that proved to be the difference as the fourth-seed Patriots defeated the Eagles 16-9 in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Tournament Wednesday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.  With the win,  Cumberlands improves to 15-3 on the year and advances to the NAIA national semifinals for the second straight year.

Aleyah Belton led the way for UC with five goals, six points, and three caused turnovers.  Ashlee Baker notched two goals and three assists, while Anna Lobbezoo and Morgan Tate tallied four points each.  Emma Rittman scooped a game-high nine draw controls, while Koral Hadac added five draw controls and four ground balls.  Mia Bosah recorded nine saves in the win.

Hadac scooped the opening draw control of the game and on that possession Belton dodged in a netted a goal to put UC in front.  Mia Bosah notched a save as Reinhardt scored two of the next three goals to even the score at 2-2.  Midway through the first quarter, Baker recorded a caused turnover, scooped the ground ball and connected with Lobbezoo for a goal to make it 3-2 in favor of UC. The Eagles took a 4-3 lead before Lobbezoo fended off contact for a man-up goal to tie the game at 4-4 after the first quarter.

Reinhardt netted their second man-up goal of the game to open the second quarter, however, UC responded 30 seconds later as Baker connected with Tate for the equalizer.  A minute later, Hadac scooped a ground ball and raced up field finding Baker, who passed it to Tess Lisy for the transition goal giving the Patriots a 6-5 lead.  Belton netted the next two goals as the Patriots defense clamped down on the Eagles offense contesting every opportunity.  In the closing minute of the half, Belton found Tate cutting towards the cage for a goal to make it a 10-5 lead.

Cumberlands won the first two draw controls of the third quarter and turned both possessions into goals from Lisy and Belton extending the lead to 12-5 with 13:35 remaining.  UC continued to answer every score by Reinhardt as Rittman found Baker cutting for a goal and Belton added a goal to make it 14-76 with 6:41 remaining.  Marisa Helsten added a caused turnover while Bosah tallied a late save giving the Patriots a 14-8 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Both defenses applied intense pressure in the fourth quarter, however Tate connected with Lobbezoo for a goal making it 15-9 with 8:19 remaining.  Rittman, Belton, and Lobbezoo each recorded a caused turnover in the period, while Lobbezoo converted a free position for the 16-9 final.

UC was a perfect 17-17 on clears in the game and held a 17-11 edge on draw controls. 

The Patriots advance to face top-seed Keiser in the semifinals on Thursday, May 1, at 3 p.m.  It marks the second consecutive year that the Patriots and Seahawks will meet in the national tournament.

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