University of the Cumberlands Athletics

Georgia Martell earned athlete of the month honors after leading the Patriots to a 6-1 record and the 2023 NAIA women’s soccer national championship.  Martell recorded 39 saves on the month and posted  a.907 save percentage with four clean sheets.  The junior opened the month with a pair of saves in UC’s 5-1 win over Campbellsville in the semifinals of the MSC Tournament.  After making six saves in the MSC Championship game, Martell notched four saves and earned a clean sheet as the Patriots took down UNOH 2-0 to advance to the NAIA final site for the fourth straight year.  The Brisbane, Australia native continued her strong play with consecutive shutouts, while making seven saves as UC advanced to the semifinals.  Against Spring Arbor, Martell was called upon throughout the game intercepting crosses as well making a plethora of big plays to earn the clean sheet and help Cumberlands advance to the championship game for the first time in program history.  Martell saved her best performance for last as she recorded 18 saves, including nine in the second half and two in overtime as the Patriots captured their first NAIA National Championship in program history.  The 18 saves is the most by a Patriot goalie in a win and also the most by a UC goalie in a NAIA National Tournament match.  Martell helped UC become the first team since 2016 to go through the NAIA Tournament while limiting their opponents to just one goal.