Williamsburg, KY – Facing their third ranked opponent in a week, the University of the Cumberlands Women's Soccer Team looked for a late rally but couldn't overcome the early deficit as the Patriots fell to fourth-ranked William Carey 2-1, Friday night at the UC Soccer Complex. With the win the Crusaders improve to 8-0, while the UC drops to 4-6.

The Patriots were forced into a defensive stance early as the Crusaders took six shots in the first 20 minutes of the game.  Christie Funk made three of her game-high seven saves to keep the game scoreless.  UC looked to get on the scoreboard first as Sara Randez put two shot on goal within a two-minute span, but both were saved.  The game remained scoreless until the 36^th minute when Kelly Stubbington found Megan Williams for a goal to give William Carey a 1-0 lead.  The Crusaders looked to extend their lead in the 40^th minute but another save by Funk kept the game 1-0 at halftime.

Both teams registered a shot on goal within the first ten minutes of the second half but neither could convert.  The score remained 1-0 until the 62' minute when Silvia Leonessi crossed it to Stubbington for a goal to extend William Carey's lead to 2-0.  The Crusaders looked to extend their lead in the 72' minute as Stubbington got behind the defense and lobbed the ball over Funk but Mackenzie Novak was there for the team save and cleared the ball.  Cumberlands pushed the ball forward as they tallied three shots over the course of the next ten minutes.  UC broke through in the 81' minute as Randez's shot was deflected by Melanie Lefebvre right to Erin Bolas, who put it home and cut the deficit to 2-1. UC was looking for the equalizer in the 89' minute as Alexis Dreier sent a ball inside the six-yard box, but Lefebvre punched it away to preserve the 2-1 win for William Carey.

Leading the way for the Patriots was Bolas, who netted her first goal the season and fourth of her career, while Randez dished out her third assist of the year. Funk has made seven saves in each of the past two games.

The Patriots will return to action Tuesday, October 3, when they travel to face Pikeville in Mid-South Conference play. The game is slated to begin at 3 p.m. and live stats are available here.  

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