Williamsburg, KY – Top-seed University of the Cumberlands scored four goals in the first half en route to a 5-0 win over fourth-seed Mount Vernon Nazarene Thursday afternoon at the UC Soccer Complex.  With the win, the Patriots advance to the championship game of the Williamsburg Bracket Saturday night at 6 p.m.

The Patriots improve to 17-1 on the year, while the Cougars finish their season with a 10-7-2 record.  Cumberlands outshot Mount Vernon 26-3 in the match.

Patriots had the first opportunity in the 5' as Selena Barnett sent a cross into the box and found Jayden Boelter, however, he shot deflected off the post keeping the game scoreless.  It was a back-and-forth battle over the next 15 minutes with neither team able to convert.  Cumberlands broke the scoreless tie in the 24' as Alanna Skinner connected with Lauren Marin Navajas, who fired a shot from 35-yards out just under the crossbar for a goal, giving the Patriots a 1-0. Three minutes later, Cumberlands extend their lead as Navajas Marin sent a through ball to Ainhoa Camara, who found Boelter for a goal.  The freshman sent a shot to the upper right-hand corner of the net making it 2-0.

Cumberlands continued to pressure the Cougars as the ball stayed in UC's offensive third of the field.  In the 29' Barnett send a cross into the box, it deflected off Boelter before Navajas Marin put into the back of the net making it 3-0 in favor of the Patriots.  Two minutes later, the Patriots cut off a Cougars clear opportunity as Alanna Skinner sent a cross into the box, finding Boelter for a header into the net extending Cumberlands lead to 4-0 with 14:28 remaining in the first half.  The two teams continued to trade possession over the next several minutes as Mount Vernon Nazarene goalie Lilly Jakuszewski made a pair of saves, while a Skinner shot deflected off the crossbar keeping the score 4-0 at the break.

In the second half, Cumberlands continued their offensive pressure taking two shots and a corner kick over the first ten minutes of action.  In the 55' Navajas Marin led a Patriots transition passing the ball up to Barnett, who crossed it Boelter for the goal to make it 5-0.  It was Barnett second assist of the game, while Boelter has netted her first career hattrick.  Jakuszewski made three straight saves for Mount Vernon to keep the score at 5-0.  Those saves gave the Cougars some momentum as Kaitlin Meade sent a freekick into the box which was header by Melanie Critzer, however, it went high.  Mount Vernon Nazarene made another run two minutes later but an offside call negated the run.  Jakuszewski made three more saves in the closing minutes for the 5-0 final.

Cumberlands advances to face the winner of the Missouri Valley vs. Trinity Christian game later today.