GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The seventh ranked Siena Heights women's lacrosse team took on the second ranked Cumberlands (Ky.) in the first round of the NAIA National tournament. The eight team national tournament was hosted by Aquinas. The Saints fell in the contest by a score of 13-24.
Cumberlands opened scoring, 1:23 into the game but the Saints answered soon after when Marissa Cirino scored the Saints first goal less than two minutes later. Lexi Nicole scored next for Siena Heights and gave the Saints a 2-1 lead which would be the last time they held an advantage for the rest of the way.
UC tied it up and took the lead with 25:07 left in the first half and SHU was able to even it out one more time at 3-3. The Patriots scored their final go-ahead goal with 19:37 left in the opening half, and remained in control for the rest of the game. In the second half, Siena Heights fought and battled but did not have enough to make a comeback.
Kayla Parks led Siena Heights with four goals and added one assist. Marissa Cirino helped the Saints by contributing three goals, a team best three assists, six ground balls and five draw controls. Lexi Nicole and Jenna Sommerville each added two goals for SHU with Katherine Tapia and Taylor Swartz chipping in one a piece.
In goal, Mariah Smythe suffered the loss for Siena Heights, allowing 17 goals and making four saves. Lizzy Elliott replaced Smythe in the second half and allowed seven goals and made one save.
Cumberlands was paced by Jaclyn Berry who finished with 11 goals and three assists. Samantha Tullar added nine goals and a team leading five assists. Emily Heim and Jessica Truelove finished with three ground balls. The winning goalie was Emily Crump allowing 11 goals and making eight saves.
With the loss the Saints will conclude the 2018 season with a 13-5 overall record.