Bowling Green, KY- Patriots soccer's 1-0 win over fourth ranked Marian University was in large part to the defensive play of UC.  In her first match in a Patriots uniform, Rita Aguye Cots' defensive efforts were key to the shutout against Marian and allowed her to earn Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors, announced by conference officials.

In the season opener, UC was able to hold the fourth ranked Knights to just seven shots, only two of which were on goal. Aguya Cots played the full 90 minutes of the match, and was a key aspect in limiting the offensive chances that Marian received. During the 2020 season, of the 24 games that Marian played, they were only held scoreless in two of those games. Aguye Cots played a huge role in holding the Knights scoreless in the first game of their 2021 season by putting a lot of pressure on Marian's offense when they would enter Cumberland's defensive third. In the freshman's first game at centerback, she seemed to be a very dominant part of UC's defense.

This marks the first time in her young career that Aguye Cots earned Mid-South Conference Player of the Week honors. This is also the third straight year that the Patriots have won the Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors after winning their season opener.

Cumberlands is set to take on Union College in another non-conference matchup on Wednesday, August 25. The game is slated to start at 5PM in Barbourville, KY and you can catch the live stream here.

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