Reinhardt falls after Cumberlands’ third-quarter surge

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. - Reinhardt matched Cumberlands for a half Saturday, but a seven-goal third quarter swung the match in a 16-8 loss at the University of the Cumberlands. After the teams went into halftime tied 7-7, Cumberlands broke the game open by outscoring the Eagles 7-1 in the third and added three more goals in the fourth.

Reinhardt set the tone early and carried the lead for much of the first half. Mary Grace Lewis opened the scoring with a man-up goal at 14:42 of the first quarter, and Emma Perritte later pushed the Eagles in front 3-2 before Hanna Peace made it 4-2 with 3:08 left in the quarter. In the second, Perritte scored again to extend the lead to 5-3, Lainey Byrne restored a two-goal margin at 6-4, and Hayley Rakestraw delivered just before halftime, scoring with 16 seconds remaining after Cumberlands had pulled even.

Rakestraw gave Reinhardt its last cushion when she opened the third quarter at 11:39, making it 8-6. From there, Cumberlands took control. Anna Lobbezoo, Ashlee Baker, Kaitlyn Friel and Emma Rittman fueled the run, with Lobbezoo's free-position goal helping start the comeback and Rittman finishing the quarter with a late strike that gave the hosts a 13-8 advantage with 38 seconds left in the third.

Cumberlands' edge showed up across several key categories. The hosts finished with 16 goals on 35 shots, including 28 shots on goal, while Reinhardt had eight goals on 24 shots with 21 on frame. Cumberlands also held advantages in draw controls, 16-11, and ground balls, 19-13. Special teams were decisive as well. Cumberlands scored eight power-play goals and seven free-position goals, while Reinhardt recorded one power-play goal and three free-position goals.

Baker led Cumberlands with three goals and six assists, while Lobbezoo scored four times. Rittman added three goals, and Friel finished with three goals and an assist. For Reinhardt, Rakestraw scored twice and added an assist, and Perritte also had two goals. In goal, Reinhardt's goalkeeper made 12 saves, while Cumberlands' goalie stopped 13 shots.

The fourth quarter only widened the gap. Baker scored at 12:24 to make it 14-8, Rittman added another at 8:57, and Christina Carter converted a power-play chance with 2:37 remaining for the final 16-8 margin. Thomas Chasanoff was the listed official for the match.