Savannah, GA – The fourth-seed Cumberlands women's lacrosse team made a surge in the second and third quarter, however, it wasn't enough as the Patriots fell to second-seed Benedictine 21-15 in the NAIA National Championship game Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. The Patriots close out the season with a 17-4 record, which was the fifth straight year that Cumberlands earned at least 16 wins in a year.
Anna Lobbezoo netted a team-high six goals and four draw controls, while
Aleyah Belton chipped in four goals.
Ashlee Baker notched four points, and a pair of caused turnovers, while
Emma Rittman scooped a game-high 12 draw controls.
Mia Bosah added 11 saves in the game.
The Ravens jumped out to the early lead, however, Baker converted a free position to make it 1-1. Bosah made three saves as
Madison Rupp added a caused turnover over the next few minutes, while
Marisa Helsten connected with Lobbezoo for a goal putting UC in front 2-1 with 10:59 remaining. Benedictine netted three unanswered goals to take a 4-2 lead after the first quarter.
BC added three straight goals to open the second quarter making it 7-2. Belton and Lobbezoo each added a goal in the next few minutes, while the Ravens took a 9-4 lead with 3:52 remaining. Cumberland started to rally as Lobbezoo converted a man-up goal with 2:28 left in the first half. Rittman won the next two draw controls the lead to Baker finding Helsten for a goal, before Rittman connected with Lobbezoo to cut the deficit to 10-7.
The Patriots came out strong in the third quarter, blocking a Ravens shot and turning it into a Baker goal just over a minute into the period. A few minutes later,
Koral Hadac notched a caused turnover and on the ensuing possession
Tess Lisy made a hard cut and put a well-placed shot into the cage to pull Cumberlands within one. UC continued their strong play as Belton converted a free position to tie the game at 10-10 with 7:21 remaining. After a trio of Ravens goals, the Patriots rallied once again tallying goals from Lobbezoo and Belton to cut the deficit to 13-12 heading into the fourth quarter.
Benedictine outscored Cumberlands 8-3 in the fourth quarter and held a 17-5 shot advantage in the period. The Patriots tallied goals from Lobbezoo, Belton, and Helsten in the period but couldn't close the gap for the 21-15 final.
Bosah closes out the NAIA Tournament with 40 saves, breaking the NAIA Tournament Record, which was previously 36.
Mia Bosah was named to the NAIA All-Tournament, alongside teammates
Koral Hadac,
Anna Lobbezoo, and
Emma Rittman.
This completes an incredible season for Cumberlands that was highlighted with their second trip to the NAIA National Tournament and the AAC Tournament Championship.
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