Third Quarter Slide Results in Skyhawks 15-10 Loss Against Cumberlands

WEST POINT, Ga. – It was a seesaw battle on Thursday afternoon for the Point University Skyhawks, but a seven-goal third quarter from the University of the Cumberlands Patriots made all the difference as Point fell 15-10 at River Bowl Stadium.

Trailing just 5-4 late in the first half and entering halftime down one, Point was locked in a back-and-forth affair before Cumberlands seized control out of the break. After the Skyhawks briefly pulled even early in the third, the Patriots strung together a series of goals to turn a one-goal game into a 12-7 margin by the end of the quarter, building enough separation to withstand a late push in the fourth.

Offensively, Point was led by attacker Malyke Sillers, who turned in a standout performance with five goals and one assist. Sillers scored in the second quarter to trim the deficit to 5-4, then added the Skyhawks' final goal with 6:24 remaining in the fourth to close the scoring at 15-10. Shaun McLaughlin provided an early lift by tying the game at 2-2 in the first quarter, while Rodney Oakley struck in the second to bring Point within 5-3 during the Skyhawks' best first-half stretch.

Point generated plenty of pressure throughout the afternoon, outshooting Cumberlands 42-36 and holding a 24-19 edge in ground balls. The Skyhawks also finished even at the faceoff X, winning 14 draws to match the Patriots and giving the offense repeated opportunities to answer. Point converted its lone power-play goal of the contest on a man-up tally from Jamison Cross early in the fourth quarter, pulling the Skyhawks within 12-9 at the time and briefly shifting momentum.

Cumberlands, however, responded to nearly every Skyhawks surge. Nathan Cook led the Patriots with six goals, including the opening strike of the game and a buzzer-beater to close the first quarter with a 4-2 Patriots lead. Cook scored three times during the pivotal third quarter, while Caden Abbott added a balanced effort with three goals and three assists and Will Rogers chipped in two goals and an assist, including a late-third-quarter finish that sent Cumberlands to the break between quarters ahead 12-7.

In goal, Whitman Prewitt recorded 10 saves while facing 25 shots on frame, as the Skyhawks' defense was tested repeatedly during Cumberlands' third-quarter success and late four-goal cushion in the fourth. Despite allowing the Patriots to reach 15 goals, the Skyhawks limited turnovers to nine and executed 17 clears, allowing the offense to stay in rhythm and continue to generate chances into the closing minutes.

The Skyhawks will play host to Montreat College to River Bowl Stadium this Saturday, March 21 for a noontime contest in West Point.