Williamsburg, KY – JD Cook notched a career-high 21 saves, while Dom Lulow and Will Rogers combined for 17 points as the fourth-seed Cumberlands men's lacrosse team defeated fifth-seed and (RV) Life 17-7 in the Quarterfinals of the AAC Tournament Sunday afternoon at the UC Lacrosse Complex. With the win the Patriots advance to the semifinals of the conference while improving to 9-6 overall.

Cook was nearly unstoppable making 15 of his 21 saves in the second half, while limiting Life to just one second half goal.  The 21 saves are tied for the second most in program history.  Offensively, Dom Lulow tallied five goals and four assists to lead the way, while Will Rogers added four goals and four assists in the game.  Caden Abbott notched six points as Dakota White went 8-14 on faceoffs with four ground balls.  Jeffrey Fisher scooped a team-high six ground balls. 

The Patriots struck on the opening possession as Lulow connected with Abbott for a goal.  After Life tied the score, White won the faceoff, raced up field and scored six seconds later to make it 2-1.  Cook tallied a save before Nathan Cook put a well-placed shot just under the crossbar extending the lead to 3-1 with 10:57 remaining.  The two teams traded goals twice before Abbott found Rogers for a transition goal as the Patriots took a 6-3 advantage.

Cumberlands netted three goals, in a two span, including a goal and an assist from Rogers to take a 9-3 advantage with 11:09 left in the second quarter.  JD Cook tallied a save and on the ensuing transition Abbott found a cutting Rogers as the Pats extended their lead to 10-3 midway through the period.  Life responded with three straight goals cutting the lead to 10-6 at the break.

UC controlled the possession in the third quarter as Cook tallied a save, while Lulow picked up a caused turnover.  With 9:11 left Alex Heck found Rogers for a goal to extend the lead to 11-6.  Cumberlands won the next two faceoffs resulting in goals from Abbott and Lulow as the Patriots took a 13-6 edge. Cook tallied five saves as the two teams traded goals giving UC a 14-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Johnny Simpson opened the fourth quarter with a caused turnover and on the ensuing possession Heck ripped a shot just under the crossbar making it 15-7.  The Pats defense kept the Running Eagles at bay, while Cook notched six saves over the next eight minutes.  Cumberlands extended their lead as Rogers found Lulow for a man-up goal, before Lulow connected with Brody Hermann for a goal and the 17-7 final.
 
The Patriots advance to the AAC semifinals, where they will face top-seed Keiser.  That game is set for Friday, May 1^st, at 1 p.m. in Marietta, GA.
 
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