AAC Banner Stays in Waleska for Fifth-Straight Year

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

WALESKA, Ga. – The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship banner will stay inside the Brown Athletic Center for the fifth-straight year after top-ranked men's lacrosse protected its home turf against Cumberlands (Ky.), 10-3, on Saturday afternoon.

Reinhardt improves to 14-0 with the victory, and now sets its sights on defending its NAIA title in the Men's Lacrosse National Invitational on May 5-8 in Savannah, Ga.

"Very proud of my guys with a great team win today against a very good opponent," head coach John Snow said. "My defense showed again today why they're the No. 1 unit in the country… They play hard, they play smart and they communicate extremely well. It also helps that we have the best goalie in the country in Matt Webb – he always steps up in the biggest games – and he was tournament MVP for a reason.

"My face-off unit was huge today; very happy with how they've been playing. Offensively, we're difficult to guard because we have six threats on the field at all times. We got a few scrappy goals that were huge today. My guys put constant pressure on opposing defenses, and I am extremely proud of winning our fifth-consecutive conference tournament championship. My guys work really hard every day in practice, and I am a proud coach because I love when they can see the fruits of their labor."

The Eagles opened with a solid first quarter of play in the rain by posting a 4-0 score. Tyler Chavous found the back of the net first at 8:21, and then Dillan Bousquet got a rebounded goal less than a minute later for a 2-0 advantage. The good fortune on offense continued for the hosts as Zane Anderson found the back of the net at 4:03, and then Chavous earned another tally 63 seconds later.

The Patriots got on the scoreboard for the first time five minutes into the second period, but the four-goal hole returned with another Anderson laser.

A 5-1 lead at the break improved to 7-1 after three quarters following goals from Kyle Banks and Bousquet.

The highest scoring stanza of the afternoon was the fourth, one in which the nation's top team was victorious, 3-2. Cumberlands would score to start the period, but would never get closer than five after Reinhardt responded with back-to-back scores for a 9-2 lead to cruise to the finish line.

Four players earned two tallies on offense each. Fisher Nuss also found the back of the net in the victory.

Defensively, JR Sess (13-for-17 faceoffs) led the way with eight ground balls out of his club's 32. Cumberlands also had 18 turnovers in defeat.

Matt Webb was dominant in the goal once again with 14 stops – helping him earn the AAC Championship MVP.

All-Tournament honors went to three additional Eagles: Anderson, Sess and Nuss.

Stay tuned for the field announcement for the NAIA National Invitational.

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For more information on Reinhardt Men's Lacrosse, please click here.