Reinhardt, Cumberlands Advance to Men's Lacrosse Semifinal Round

WALESKA, Ga. - No. 3 seed Reinhardt and No. 4 seed Cumberlands moved on in the first round of the Appalachian Athletic Conference men's lacrosse tournament after posting double-digit wins over the weekend. Reinhardt beat No. 6 seed Tennessee Wesleyan 18-5 on Saturday in Waleska, Georgia, and Cumberlands followed with a 17-7 win over No. 5 seed Life on Sunday in Williamsburg, Kentucky.

The opening-round slate matched the tournament summary supplied ahead of the weekend, with Reinhardt handling Tennessee Wesleyan in the Saturday quarterfinal and Cumberlands defeating Life in Sunday's game. Reinhardt's win came after a competitive opening stretch. The Eagles built a 4-1 lead in the first quarter, but Tennessee Wesleyan answered and pulled even at 4-4 when Madden Leslie scored a man-up goal with 1:24 left in the quarter. Micah Decloedt then put Tennessee Wesleyan in front 5-4 early in the second quarter before Reinhardt responded immediately. Nolan Marsh tied the game 18 seconds later, and Reinhardt took control from there with a 5-1 second quarter, a six-goal third quarter, and a 13-goal run after trailing by one.

Reinhardt's statistical edge showed up across the field. The Eagles outshot Tennessee Wesleyan 56-26, held a 34-9 advantage in shots on goal, won faceoffs 19-5, and collected 35 ground balls to Tennessee Wesleyan's 13. Reid McDowell led Reinhardt with four goals and one assist, Joey Amatulli added two goals and four assists, and Rett Canon scored three times, including the game's final two goals in the fourth quarter. Luke Greer added two goals and one assist. For Tennessee Wesleyan, Decloedt scored twice, and Jack Driscoll had two first-quarter goals during the stretch that helped erase Reinhardt's early lead. Tennessee Wesleyan goalie Jack Shaw finished with 16 saves despite the loss, while Reinhardt goalie Ethan Rogers made four saves and allowed five goals. The listed attendance at Ken White Field was 50, with David Finney serving as the official.

Sunday's second first-round game turned quickly in Cumberlands' favor. After Caden Abbott opened the scoring, Life briefly drew level at 1-1 on Jared Cordova's goal, but Cumberlands put together a six-goal first quarter and never lost control. Life trimmed the margin to 5-3 late in the first quarter on Alex McGuire's goal and later got within 10-6 in the second when Cordova scored again off an assist from Erik Fornek, but Cumberlands answered each push. Will Rogers scored early in the third quarter to restart the separation, and Dom Lulow's goal at 5:31 of the third made it 14-6 as the Patriots stretched the lead again.

Cumberlands got major production from its top line. Lulow finished with five goals and four assists, Rogers added four goals and four assists, and Abbott had three goals and three assists. Brody Hermann scored the final goal with 2:17 left in the fourth quarter to set the 17-7 margin. Life was led by Cordova's three goals. Even though Life generated 43 shots and won the faceoff battle 15-13, Cumberlands was more efficient in front of the goal and got a strong game from goalkeeper Jd Cook, who made 21 saves while allowing seven goals over 60 minutes. Cumberlands also recorded 14 assists on 17 goals and a man-up goal in the fourth quarter. The game was played at the UC Lacrosse Complex with Thomas Chasanoff listed as the official.

With the first round complete, the AAC men's tournament moves forward with Reinhardt and Cumberlands joining the advancing field. Reinhardt's route came through a dominant middle half after Tennessee Wesleyan briefly grabbed the lead, while Cumberlands established itself early and closed the door with balanced scoring and 21 saves in goal.

The tournament continues on Friday at Life in Marietta, Ga. Cumberlands will take on No. 1 seed Keiser at 1 pm, while Reinhardt will face No. 2 SCAD Savannah at 4 pm.