Bowling Green, KY – After making ten saves coupled with surrendering no goals, Patriots women's soccer goalie Nicole Panis was named the Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Week, announced by the conference office Monday.  It marks the fourth time this season that the MSC First Team All-Conference goalie earned this distinction.
 
Panis opened her first conference tournament making three saves and helping the Patriots to a 6-0 win over Shawnee State to help UC advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2016.  The Opmeer, Netherlands native followed that up by blanking Thomas More in the semifinals.  Panis made seven saves, including five in the first half to keep Cumberlands in front.
 
The freshman's performance has helped the Patriots reach the finals of the Mid-South Conference Championship for only the second time since 2000 and the first time since 2007.
 
Panis continues to shine at a national level, ranking eighth in the NAIA in goals against average limiting opponents to 0.48. The rookie has allowed eight goals in over 1,400 minutes of work and helped UC to nine shutouts on the season.
 
With 14 wins on the year, Panis proves to be the winningest first-year keeper since Stephanie Reid in 2007 (15-4).
 
The Patriots will return to the pitch Saturday, November 16, when they face top-seed Lindsey Wilson in the MSC Championship match.  The game is scheduled for 12 pm EST with live video available here, while live stats will be available here.
 
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