Williamsburg, KY – Facing their straight fourth ranked opponent, the eighth-ranked UC women's soccer team used a pair of first half goals to defeat 25^th-ranked Bethel Sunday afternoon at the UC Soccer Complex.  With the win, the Patriots improve to 9-1 overall and 5-1 in conference play, while the Wildcats move to 3-3 overall and 0-3 against the MSC.

UC came out strong control possession through majority of the opening minutes.  The Patriots took the first three shots of the game, however, none of them were on frame keeping the game scoreless. UC continued their offensive pressure as Lauren Navajas Marin crossed the ball to Selena Barnett on the near side, who sent a cross back to Ainhoa Camara for the goal to give the Patriots a 1-0 lead with 35:14 remaining in the first half.  For Camara it marks the third straight game that she scored and was her sixth goal of the season.

Cumberlands looked to add to their lead minutes leader as Jenna Rockwell and Jayden Boelter both put shots on frame, however, the Wildcats Shanay Ricketts made the stop to keep the score 1-0.  The Patriots extended their lead as Camara center a ball to Alanna Skinner, who pushed in forward.  Skinner's pass got behind the Wildcats backline giving Shara Randez and one-on-one opportunity and she lobbed a shot into the net to make it 2-0 with 20:02 remaining in the first half.  UC added two more shots, while Bethel also recorded a shot but none were successful as the Patriots took a 2-0 lead into half. 

In the second half, Cumberlands looked to extend their lead less than a minute in, however, Boelter's shot was saved.  Bethel looked to cut into the deficit as Sacha Gay Brown put a shot on frame but Laura Vogt came out to make the save keeping them off the board.  Vogt added another save 10 minutes later, while Randez put fired a shot from just outside the penalty box but couldn't convert.  The Patriots continued to apply the pressure tallying the next seven shots, none of which connected with the back of the net.  UC's best opportunity came in the 83' as Sarah Hammerstone fired a shot that Ricketts made a diving save to keep the score 2-0.  Bethel looked to cut into the lead in the finals minutes but Elvira Martin shot was blocked by Ryann Bryant, which preserved the 2-0 final.

Vogt finished with two saves in the game as she improves to 8-1 on the season with six shutouts.  Randez has now tallied a team-high eight goals and 18 points.

The Patriots will return to the field Tuesday, March 9, when they host Freed-Hardeman in their final home game of this four-game stretch.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with live stats available here and live video available here.

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