SAVANNAH, Ga. --- The Life U women's lacrosse team put together a gritty performance in its NAIA Semifinals meeting with No. 2 University of the Cumberlands, showing tons of heart and outperforming the expectations on many as the team gave the Patriots all that they could handle on the way to a nail biter of a finish, falling 11-10.
 
NOTES
• Friday afternoon's loss spells the end of the Running Eagles' season, the team finishing the season with a record of 11-7, while Cumberlands (Ky.) keeps its season alive at 16-1.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMERS 
• Tina Ricci led all players with five points, scoring three times while assisting on two other Life U goals. Ricci also played strong in the other phases of the game, picking up four ground balls, causing two turnovers, and earning a draw control.
• Brianna Freeman recorded the next most points, posting three scores and an assist on the attack for the Running Eagles.
• Tori Adcox matched Ricci and Freeman with three goals of her own, while also gaining two ground balls.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
• The Running Eagles found themselves in complete control of the game's momentum over the majority of the first half. Both teams' defenses held strong through the first 10 minutes of the game, each team only recording a single goal during the span but starting at the 20^th minute Life U went on a 4-0 run, Ricci scoring three times over the span. With 15 minutes left in the half, the Running Eagles held a 5-1 lead. The Patriots pulled themselves back into the contest though, recording a score in the closing seconds to see Life U's lead diminish to 7-6 going into the break.
• The score at the end of the half gave the Patriots some momentum that continued into the second frame of play, the team going on a four-goal run over the first six minutes to take a 10-7 lead. In what showed a ton of heart, the Running Eagles did not give up but instead answered, Adcox and Freeman posting scores in the midpoint of the half to pull back within a single score, 10-9. Inside of the final 10 minutes, Cumberlands (Ky.) scored again to take an 11-9 lead. The Life U players continued pushing the pace, getting many good looks at the goal, but did not find the back of the net until Ricci assisted Skylar Clum with just over two seconds to go in the game.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• As has been the story in Life U's other meetings with Cumberlands this year, the Running Eagles pushed the pace, holding a 34-31 advantage in shots taken and 27-21 in shots on frame.
• Another big advantage was held by Life U in turnovers, the Running Eagles forcing the Patriots into 27 mistakes while only giving up the ball 18 times. Life U also held a 25-14 edge in ground balls.
• The Running Eagles were much more efficient  clearing, completing 20-for-24, while Cumberlands (Ky.) went 15-for-26.
• Korenza Heath had a strong game in goal for the Running Eagles, but the Patriots led in saves 17-10.
• Cumberlands (Ky.) had a large advantage on the draw, taking 14 to Life U's seven.
 
UP NEXT
• With the conclusion of this game, the women's lacrosse team's season comes to a close as they start looking to the Spring 2022 season.