Eagles Win Another Overtime Thriller Against Cumberlands in AAC Semis

Marietta, GA - Reinhardt Men's Lacrosse got the weekend AAC Tournament going on the campus of Life University on Friday afternoon with a matchup with the University of the Cumberlands.  The two teams battled it out at Ken White Field just about two weeks ago where the game was neck-and-neck the entire game - which ended in JR Sess sinking a shot from left side of the goal in overtime to end the game 14-13.  Friday's game would be very similar as the two NAIA powerhouse programs faced each other again.  The Patriots were able to tie the game late in the fourth quarter at six all to send the game into overtime and the Eagles were able to get the "golden goal" winner again. This time, Brady Hanak would scoop up a shot that ricocheted off the right goal post which he fired right back in before the Patriots could set back up and it found the back of the net sending the Eagles to the AAC finals.

Several Eagles stepped up in this game, but none bigger than goalkeeper Liam Wright.  Wright took several point-blank shots that he was able to block and secure keeping the Eagles in the game.  He had a total of 11 saves from 17 shots on goal, but at least 5 of those goals were direct shots just outside of the crease. Wright played with a little extra motivation in the game as he was somehow left off the AAC first and second-team All-Conference list despite being one of the top goalkeepers and playing on the #1 team in the NAIA.

Offensively, Cam Cochran, Brady Hanak, Wyatt Maddox, Carter Maurice, and JR Sess would all find the back of the goal for the Eagles.  Goals were very hard to come by for both teams in this game as defenses were stepping up their play.  Reinhardt was able to fire off 25 shots against the Patriots with only 7 total getting past Cumberlands' keeper.  Cochran and Hanak both had two goals each with Hanak's second goal being the highlight of the day. Maurice's goal was another big one coming midway through the fourth quarter giving the Eagles a 6-5 lead.

The Eagles were losing 3-4 going into halftime, but they have shown that they can score when needed and in the second half they always turn the scoring up a notch. They quickly tied the game early in the second half and eventually took the narrow 5-4 lead on Cam Cochran's second goal. Cumberlands tied the game early in the fourth quarter to lead up to the dramatics of Maurice's and Hanak's goals.

Reinhardt will face Keiser University in the finals on Saturday at Life University. Keiser beat Webber International in the second semi-final game which took place after the Reinhardt/Cumberlands matchup. Men's Lacrosse is very unique in the NAIA where you have the top four ranked teams coming from one conference. Reinhardt, Keiser, Webber, and Cumberlands are ranked 1 - 4 in the NAIA and they each potentially could end up playing one another three times in route to the NAIA Championship. It is a very tough conference and the teams battle each other to the end when they match up.  All four teams will continue to the NAIA Playoffs no matter the outcome of the AAC Tournament.

Saturday's game can be seen on the Life University Sports Network on YouTube (link below). The game is scheduled for 2:30 pm

https://www.youtube.com/@lifeuniversityathletics7226/streams