Williamsburg, KY – The University of the Cumberlands women's soccer team never trailed as they upset 12th-ranked Reinhardt 4-3 in their season opener Wednesday afternoon at the UC Soccer Complex. Newcomer
Sara Randez scored the game-winning goal in the 59' minute to clinch the victory.
"This was a fantastic win and our girls battled the whole way," said head coach
Steve Hamilton. "I feel good about the way we started our season."
The Patriots (1-0) struck first as
Rachel Palazzo sent a free kick into the box to
Jody LeMaster, who headed it into the goal for the 1-0 lead four minutes into the game. UC kept the pressure on the Eagles as
Shelby Little fired a shot that sailed just over the crossbar. The score remained 1-0 until the 21st minute when an Adrien Merrilles goal evened the score at 1-1. Cumberlands responded less than a minute later as
Mackenzie Novak took advantage of a failed clear by the Eagles as she sent a lob shot over the goalie's head for a goal from nearly 45 yards away. It marks Novak's first collegiate goal of her career and gave the Patriots a 2-1 lead. Reinhardt (0-1) tied the game at 2-2 midway through the first half. UC looked to retake the lead before the break as they put four shots on frame, but were unable to convert keeping the score tied 2-2 at half.
Cumberlands came out strong to start the second half controlling the ball. In the 56th minute,
Emily Willoughby crossed the ball into the box to LeMaster, who sent it up to Little for a goal to give the Patriots a 3-2 advantage. Reinhardt tied the game at 3-3, but LeMaster connected with Randez in the 59' minute, who would lob a shot to the top right corner of the goal for the eventual game-winner. UC stepped up the pressure on the defensive end of the field contesting the Eagles' shots. Goalie
Christie Funk made four of her game-high six saves in the final 30 minutes of play, including a diving save in the 86' minute to preserve the lead.
The win marks the Patriots first win over a NAIA top 15 ranked opponent in the Coach Hamilton era. Leading the way for the Patriots was LeMaster who tallied a goal and two assists, while Novak, Little and Randez each recorded their first goals as Patriots. Palazzo and Willoughby both tallied one assist each.
The Patriots will return to action Saturday, August 26, when they host Bluefield College at 7 p.m. at the UC Soccer Complex. Live video of the game will be available here, while live stats are available here.
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