ST. LOUIS, Mo. — In a tight 15-10 game this afternoon, Missouri Baptist University fought the University of the Cumberlands hard, but ultimately fell to the fourth-ranked team.
Cumberlands drew first blood, scoring two consecutive goals towards the beginning of the contest.
Delaney Pechnik responded with a stellar goal for the Spartans, assisted by Mack Miller.
Soon after, Cumberlands scored two more, but Miller was able to put another point on the board for MBU with about five minutes left in the period.
Creeping up on Cumberlands, Pechnik scored her second goal of the day, putting the Spartans just one point behind.
But, the Patriots promptly scored two more, giving themselves a three-goal lead going into the second quarter.
Miller stepped up big and scored the first goal of the period. After Cumberlands responded with one of their own, Miller scored yet another off a free position shot.
Cumberlands was able to score again, but Pechnik, recording a hat trick on the day, put another one up for the Spartans just about two minutes later.
UC put up two more on MBU before Olivia Julian broke through the defense for another goal, bringing the score to 10-7.
Cumberlands came out swinging in the third quarter, scoring a quick goal with 14:44 on the clock. They put up two more before the end of the third, igniting a fire in MBU.
Missouri Baptist out-shot Cumberlands 13-5 and out-scored them 3-2 in the fourth period.
Both teams remained scoreless in the fourth until Lydia Cornett fired one in off an assist from Miller, bringing the score to 13-8.
Less than a minute later, the duo scored again. This time, Miller scored her fourth goal of the day off an assist from Cornett.
UC stayed hungry, though, recording another goal after Miller's.
With about three minutes left in the contest, birthday girl Marissa Oldham scored the Spartans' final gaol.
The Patriots snuck in one more for themselves, making the final score 15-10.
The game being a dedication to Morgan Rodgers, a Duke University women's lacrosse player who tragically died from mental health challenges in 2019, both teams stood in solidarity for mental health awareness and exemplified sportsmanship on and off the field.
Team Stats Highlights:
Shots / MBU - 38, UC - 22
Draw controls / MBU - 14, UC - 14
Defensive Stats:
Cornett - two ground balls, two caused turn overs, two DCs
Julian - three GBs, two CTO, two DCs
Miller - one GB, one CTO, two DCs
Jackie Oehler - two GBs, one CTO
Alexis Taylor - two GBs, one CTO
Sophia Zegar - one CTO, four DCs
MBU plays again at home on Wednesday,(March 26) against Heart of America Conference match up St. Ambrose University.
