Williamsburg, KY- The #5 Cumberlands Patriots defeated #10 Southeastern University in 3-1 victory to close out their non-conference regular season Thursday night at the UC Soccer Complex. Securing this win brought UC to a 5-0-2 non-conference record, as UC heads into conference play unbeaten for the third consecutive year.

Southeastern was the fifth top-25 opponent and the fourth top-ten team that the Patriots has faced thus far. It was nothing less than exciting, as the women took the field at the UC Soccer Complex for the first time this year. What seemed to be a record breaking crowd helped boost the Pats into securing another big win.

UC and the Fire battled hard during the first period. Possessions were dominated by the midfielders and each team stood strong in defending their goal.  The Patriots had a couple of chances to strike first, however, Holly Eddins made three saves for the Fire to keep the score even.  

Southeastern struck first in the 31^st minute of the game, making the score 1-0. For the remaining minutes of the first half, the two teams were aggressive on defense, forcing a number of turnovers and racking up fouls.

At the half, the score remained 1-0 in favor of the Fire.

When the horn blow to begin the second half, a light was lit within the Patriots. In true UC fashion, they score a goal almost immediately after the period began. A pass from Irene Medina to Rita Aguye Cots near midfield initiated UC's first score. Cots punted the ball up the field to land in the middle of the SEU 18-yard box. Off the bounce, the ball flew over the goalkeepers head to find the foot of Anihoa Camara, who tapped the ball in, tying the game 1-1. 

At this point in the game, both teams are fighting with all they had. Southeastern continued to be uber aggressive on defense, but they were unable to stop the Pats.

In the 58^th minute, UC took the lead with a goal from leading scorer, Jayden Boelter. From the opposite side of the field, goalkeeper Georgia Martell sailed the ball to Camara who wass standing right outside of the 18-yard box. Camara, with a 1,2 touch notched the ball towards Boelter, who then booted the ball into the back of the net, making the score 2-1.

Despite UC's dominate offensive approach in the second half, the Fire were resilient in their efforts. They made several attempts to move the ball up the field but the Pats prevented any shots on goal for the remainder of the period.

Boelter scored once more in the 62' securing her third brace of the season. A double assist from Alba Lorca and Laura Navajas put Boelter in a position to net the third and final goal of the game. The Patriots secured another big win over a top opponent to close out the regular season.

For Navajas it was her 33rd career assist, which ties Kelly Tragesser as the program's career leader.  Camara also recorded her 25^th career assist as it was her first three point game since April 2, 2021.  Boelter now has a team-high nine goals on the year and it was her tenth careeer multi-goal game.  

The Patriots begin conference play on September 22, against Freed-Hardeman University. They will face all 10 MSC opponents, four of which sit in the Top-25. The match will be played in Henderson, TN and kickoff is set for 5PM.
 
For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics. Please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. Follow us on Twitter- @UC_Patriots and @UCPatsGameday, Instagram- @UCPatriots, TikTok- @ucpatriots, Youtube- Cumberlands Patriots, and Facebook by searching University of the Cumberlands Athletics.