Williamsburg, KY – The fourth-ranked UC women's soccer team had three different players net a goal, including two in the second, as the Patriots defeated #14 Cumberland 3-1 Saturday afternoon at the UC Soccer Complex.  It is the Patriots eighth win over a team ranked in the NAIA Top-25 Coaches Poll and improves Cumberlands record to 10-0-3 overall and 5-0-1 in conference play.

Laura Navajas and Noah Paalman each netted their first goal of the season, while Carola Fontan added an insurance goal, which was her fourth of the year.  Alba Lorca and Taylor Bouma each notched an assist, while Laura Vogt made four saves in the win.

Cumberlands came out controlling the offensive possession for majority of the opening ten minutes.  Laura Navajas tallied the lone shot of that stretch, which was saved by the Phoenix keeper keeping the game scoreless.  UC added another shot and a pair of corner kicks over the next five minute stretch. The Patriots were able to strike first in the 21' as UC applied pressure against the Phoenix.  As Cumberland pass the ball back to one of their defenders, Navajas stole the ball, took two dribbles and put it home in the lower right corner of the net to put the Patriots ahead 1-0.  The goal was Navajas first goal of the season as she also earned her ninth point of year.

Minutes later, Cumberlands looked to add to their lead as Carola Fontan had an opportunity but a diving save by Sabrina Graziano kept the score 1-0.  The Phoenix recorded their first shot in the 28' minute as Julia Kaset put it on frame, however, Laura Vogt was there to make the save.  The Phoenix started to pick up the pressure of their offensive end as Evelyn Jimenez fired a shot but Vogt made a diving save to her right to keep UC in front 1-0.  The score stayed that way until the 41' when Sarah Haddock put a well-placed free kick just under the cross bar to even the score at 1-1.  UC looked to retake the lead in the closing minute as Abby Baker tallied a shot, but couldn't convert as the team went into the break with a 1-1 tie.

It was a defensive battle to open the second half as there was only one shot in the opening ten minutes of the half.  In the 57' Navajas was fouled just outside the 18-yard box setting up a free kick.  On the ensuing free kick Fontan puts a well-place ball into the upper left 90 of the goal to put UC back in front 2-1 with 31:32 remaining in the second half. 

The Phoenix looked for equalizer tallying two shots, one of which was saved by Vogt, as the score remained 2-1.  Cumberlands put two shots on frame but neither could convert until the 78' when Naoh Paalamn netted her first career goal.  Navajas started the transition working the ball up field as Taylor Bouma pushed the ball forward to Alba Lorca.  Lorca sent the ball down the left flank as Paalman made a run and put the ball into the back of the net extending the lead to 3-1. 

The win is UC's tenth win of the season marking the fifth straight season with at least ten wins.  Cumberlands outshot the Phoenix 12-7 with 11 of those shots coming on frame.

The Patriots return to the pitch Wednesday, October 12, when they travel to Columbia, KY to face #19 Lindsey Wilson.  Game time is set for 6 p.m. EST.
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