Miami Gardens, FL – The third-ranked Cumberlands women's lacrosse team utilized balanced scoring, and strong defense to defeat (RV) St. Thomas 20-3 Sunday afternoon.  With the win, the Patriots improve to 4-0 on the year, while the Bobcats move to 1-1.

Emma Rittman led the way for UC with four goals and five ground balls, while Anna Lobbezoo and Ashlee Baker combined for the five goals, five assists, and seven draw controls.  Kaityln Friel netted a career-high four goals in the game.  Mikayla Kimsey made six saves in the win, while the Pats defense of Koral Hadac, Madison Rupp, Reese Kincaid and Sarah Linam combined to limit St. Thomas to just 10 shots in the game.

UC struck early as Lenora DeVries scooped a ground ball, while Anna Lobbezoo put a well-placed shot on a free position to make it 1-0.  Ashlee Baker added back-to-back goals to extend the Patriots lead to 3-1 with 7:00 remaining in the first quarter. Mikayla Kimsey tallied a save and a ground  ball before Baker found a cutting Emma Rittman for a goal, giving UC a 4-1 advantage.  Kimsey added a save before Kameron Mayfield and Kaitlyn Friel notched a man-up goal giving UC a 7-2 lead after the first quarter. 

The Patriots defense picked up their pressure in the second quarter, while a Rittman added a pair of goals giving Cumberlands the 9-2 lead with 4:30 remaining.  UC looked to extend their lead, however, Allison Joines' shot ricochet off the crossbar as the Pats took a 9-3 lead into the break.

Cumberlands controlled the possession at the beginning of the third quarter as Rittman and Baker netted back-to-back goals giving the Patriots an 11-3 advantage. UC held the Bobcats without a shot in the period, while adding four straight goals, including one from Tess Lisy to take 15-3 lead into the fourth quarter. 

Kimsey opened the fourth quarter before Christina Carter and Friel netted goals on back-to-back possessions to take a 17-3 lead.  Later in the quarter, Machenzie Willis dished out her first collegiate assist finding DeVries for a goal as UC closed out the game for 20-3 final

UC held a 17-6 advantage on draw controls and outshot the Bobcats 37-10 in the game.

The Patriots will conclude their three-game road trip on Monday, February 23^rd, when the travel to Lake Wales, FL to face Warner.  First draw is set for 6 p.m. with live video available here.

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