Williamsburg, KY – Top-seed University of the Cumberlands overcame an early 1-0 deficit to knock off the second-seed Missouri Valley 3-2 in the championship game of the NAIA Opening Round Williamsburg Bracket.  With the win, the Patriots are one of the ten teams to advance to the NAIA final site and improve to 18-1 on the season, while the Vikings close out their season with a 13-8 record. 

For Cumberlands, Shara Randez record a goal and an assist, while Lauren Navajas Marin and Jenna Rockwell both added a goal in the game.  Ainhoa Camara added an assists in the win as well.  Natalia Ruiz recorded a brace for the Vikings as she netted both of their goals.  Marina Barneda Massaguer added four saves in the game for Missouri Valley.  

UC looked to strike first as Jayden Boelter got behind the backline in the first minute, however, her shot was saved by Massaguer.  The Patriots added another shot on frame ten minutes later, before the two teams traded shots wide keeping the match scoreless after the opening 15 minutes.  The game remained tied until the 25' when Jenna Rockwell committed a foul in the box, which lead to a penalty kick.  Ruiz stepped up and converted the pk into the lower left corner to take a 1-0 lead.  Navajas Marin looked for the equalizer two minutes later but couldn't convert.  The Patriots continued to apply the pressure and in the 40' Navajas Marin ran a give-and-go with Camara as Navajas Marin netted her third goal of the opening round and evened the score at 1-1.  UC was able to run out the closing minutes of the first half keeping the game tied 1-1 at the break.

Missouri Valley came out strong in the second half firing three straight shots over the first six minutes, however, they all sailed wide.  The ball was held in the midfield over the next ten minutes as the two teams traded possession.  The game remained evened until the 66' minute when Boelter fired a rocket towards the goal, which deflected off the crossbar. The Vikings tried to clear the ball, however, it was headed directly to Randez, who fired it home giving the Patriots the 2-1 lead with 25:53 remaining in the second half. Cumberlands looked to extend their lead two minutes later as Riley Barrett fired a shot, but it was blocked by the Vikings defense keeping the score 2-1.  The two teams continued to trade possession until the 87' when Jillian Zurborg shot was deflected across the end line. On the ensuing corner kick, Randez launched a high lob and found Rockwell on the far post for the header into the back of the net extending UC's lead to 3-1.  A minute later, Rockwell was called for a handball in the box setting up Missouri Valley second penalty kick of the game. Once again Ruiz stepped up and converted the shot cutting the score to 3-2.  The Vikings looked for the equalizer in the final minute, however, could convert a shot as Cumberlands held on for the 3-2 final.

Cumberlands outshot the Missouri Valley 15-9 in the game, while holding a 7-3 edge in corner kick.