Orange Beach, AL – Over the past half-decade, the University of the Cumberlands women's soccer team has become synonymous with winning and postseason success, qualifying for the NAIA National Tournament in each of the last four years. The Patriots have climbed to new heights in recent years and Thursday's 2-1 win over #6 Oklahoma Wesleyan has propelled UC to the NAIA National Semifinals for the first time in program history.

While this is the furthest UC has advanced, Cumberlands has been re-writing its history over the past several years, and accomplishing program first has become the norm. Since the 2018 season, UC has compiled an 82-15-8 record, including winning at least 15 games every season and notching a .819 winning percentage, which is the best stretch in the program's history.  In addition, the Patriots have recorded a plethora of records and milestones, including advancing to the NAIA Final Site for three straight seasons and earlier this year capturing their first Mid-South Conference regular season championship since 1999.

At the helm of this turnaround is Head Coach Steve Hamilton, who has compiled a 109-39-13 record since taking over the program in 2015.  In his eighth season, Coach Hamilton is UC's all-time wins leader and is the first Patriot coach to collect over 100 career wins in program history as he recorded at least 10 wins seven times.  The two-time Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year states that this year's success has been predicated by the team environment and character of the student-athletes.

"This has been the best locker room and team environment I have ever been around in my career as a coach," said Hamilton.  "This group pushes each other daily to improve while cultivating a supportive atmosphere."

This year's team has a unique mixture of veteran leadership and youth that has bonded together to face any challenge head-on. UC heads into the game with an 18-1-3 record with 11 of the 18 wins coming against teams that are ranked or receiving votes, including a 4-0-2 mark against the NAIA Top 10.  Early in the season, Cumberlands knocked off third-ranked Central Methodist for their first win against a top-three opponent, while playing to a scoreless tie with #7 Marian and #5 Spring Arbor, both of which have also advanced to the semifinals.

"This team has been tested in every game and has a strong belief system that they are never out of it," said Coach Hamilton.  This was on full display Thursday night as the Patriots overcame a 1-0 deficit to knock off the Eagles for Cumberlands' first win at the NAIA Final Site in program history.  

Eight Patriot players on this year's roster have been a part of all three of UC's runs to the final site and have helped change the culture around the program while excelling both on and off the pitch.  Two pivotal pieces of the Patriots' success over the past half-decade have been fifth-year seniors Laura Navajas Marin and Selena Barnett.  The duo has combined for eight MSC All-Conference selections, four first-team honors, while they both earned NAIA All-American accolades during the 2020 season.

Navajas has etched her name all over the Patriots record books throughout her career at UC.  The Miranda de Ebro, Spain native is Cumberlands career leader in assist with 42 as she surpassed Kelly Tragesser's mark of 33 earlier this season.  Navajas assisted UC's game-winning goal in the quarterfinals of the NAIA tournament, marking her tenth assist on the season as the fifth-year senior became the first Patriot player with at least ten assists in three consecutive seasons, while her 84 points ranks her fifth all-time.  Navajas is a four-time MSC All-Conference selection and in 2020 became the Patriots first NAIA Second Team All-American selection.

"Laura came in as a top-level player five years ago and has consistently pushed herself and her teammates daily," said Coach Hamilton.  "She has made an incredible impact on both ends of the pitch and can influence the outcome of games in a variety of ways."

Barnett, a four-time All-Conference selection, also decided to return for her fifth season and has made an incredible impact.  The Carmel, IN native, was a NAIA All-American Honorable Mention in 2020 and has continued to excel for the Patriots.  This season, Barnett was a MSC First Team selection and has recorded five goals and two assists with all five goals and 11 of her 12 points coming in the postseason.  The fifth-year senior tallied a brace in the NAIA quarterfinals win, heading in the game-winning goal in the 86'.

"We have worked so hard for this moment and we're here for a mission and we are determined to accomplish it," Barnett said after the quarterfinal win.  "We can't wait for the semifinals!"

This year's Patriots team has continued its recent tradition of excelling at both ends of the pitch.  UC has recorded 163 points and 53 assists so far this season both of which rank fourth in program history.  This is a continuation of Cumberlands recent success as four of the top-five spots in both of these categories have come over the past four seasons.

Jayden Boelter has led the offensive attack for UC this season with a career-high 20 goals and 45 points, both of which rank third in program history.  The two-time NAIA All-American Honorable Mention and three-time MSC First Team All-Conference selection has collected 51 goals and 119 points while dawning the Red and Navy.  Four other Patriots have notched double-digit point totals, including the reigning MSC Freshman of the Year Carola Fontan, who dished out two assists in the NAIA Quarterfinals and has accumulated 25 points.

Defensively, UC has tallied a 0.80 Goals Against Average and 12 shutouts this season, while limiting opponents to under 0.82 GAA in each of the past four seasons.  Cumberlands has notched 48 shutouts over the past four seasons and has recorded at least 12 shutouts in each of the past three years, which is also a program record.

According to Coach Hamilton, the success of the Patriots defense is a testament to the entire team.  "Our defense continues to improve year in and year in part that every player of the field plays two-way soccer. Since our first trip to the final site in 2020, the team has played smarter defense and gained a better understanding of our situational defense."

Cumberlands are clicking on all cylinders and are seeking its first appearance in the NAIA National Championship game in program history.  In order to reach it they have to get by second-seed Marian, who is 20-0-2 on the season.  These two teams played to a 0-0 tie when they meet on August 23, in Indianapolis, IN.

The motto for this team is "Family through Football" and as the players take the field Saturday afternoon, they'll also be playing for a chance to make program history once again.

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