Decatur, AL – The second-ranked Patriots struggled to overcome an early six goal deficit as they fell to third-ranked SCAD 14-7 in the national semifinals Wednesday night at Jack Allen Complex. UC concludes the year with a 20-2 record, which is tied for their best record in program history.
Ashlee Baker led the way for UC with three goals and an assist in the game, while
Emma Rittman netted two goals and a pair of draw controls.
Koral Hadac notched four caused turnovers and three ground balls, while
Madison Rupp,
Lenora DeVries, and
Kaitlyn Friel all tallied a pair of caused turnovers.
Mikayla Kimsey made a season-high 15 saves.
The Bees (14-3) jumped out to a 6-0 lead after the first quarter. UC opened the second quarter with back-to-back saves from Kimsey. Moments later Baker scooped a ground ball and netted a goal cutting the deficit to 6-1. Despite Kimsey making four more saves and Cumberlands tallying eight shots in the period UC trailed 8-1 at the break.
Baker added a pair of goals in the third quarter cutting the deficit to 10-3 with 5:42 remaining. A minute later, Baker found a cutting
Christina Carter for a goal making it 11-4. Rupp tallied a caused turnover, while Kimsey made a trio of saves keeping that score entering the fourth quarter.
SCAD struck first in the fourth quarter, however, Rittman won the draw control and went coast-to-coast to score 14 seconds later. After Kimsey tallied a pair of saves, DeVries forced a turnover and connected with
Audrey Donaldson for a goal bringing the Patriots within six at 12-6 with 11:43 remaining. A few minutes later, Rittman converted a free position making it 12-7, but that was the closest Cumberlands came as SCAD earned the 14-7 win.
This concludes an impressive season for the Patriots that captured both the AAC regular season and tournament titles. UC also had eight NAIA All-Americans. There senior class of Hadac, Rittman, Rupp,
Anna Lobbezoo,
Reese Kincaid, and
Tess Lisy combined for 72-12 record and a plethora of accolades.
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