Henderson, TN - Continuing their success on the pitch is the #4 Patriot women's soccer team, who secured their first conference victory, a 2-0 win against Freed-Hardeman Thursday night. Sophomore Jayden Boelter made her mark recording her third brace of the season, while Laura Navajas dished out a pair of assists to achieve a program record in the victory.

The Patriots have faced seven ranked opponents this season, and came into the conference season with a 5-0-2 record. They had recorded two wins against top-10 teams outscoring their opponents 13 to 5. This match against the Lions was a big one for the Pats as it marked the opening of their Mid-South Conference play.

During the first half, UC and Freed-Hardeman shared offensive possessions while trying to bring in the first goal of the game. Alba Lorca was able to get off two shots on goal in the 30' minute, but the Lions goalkeeper found a way to keep the Pats from scoring.  Strong defensive efforts by both teams led to the game being tied 0-0 at the start of the second half.

The tie didn't last long into the second period, as the Pats were determined to get on top. Within the first 20 minutes of the half, UC had recorded six shots on goal, each coming from a different player. The Lions goalkeeper was quick to move as she saved each of the goal attempts from reaching the back of the net.

In the 73', Jayden Boelter scored the first goal of the game. A Lions defender passed the ball to the goalkeeper from inside the box. Luckily for the Pats, the goalie was carded for a handball, which led to an indirect freekick within the Lions goal-box. Laura Navajas Marin sent a square pass to Boelter, who netted the ball into the back of the goal giving the Patriots a 1-0 lead.

With this assist, Navajas claims the most career assists in program history (34), as she surpassed Kelly Tragesser mark of 33 set back in 2000. It marks the second consecutive game with an assist by the Miranda de Ebro, Spain native.

Just nine minutes later, Boelter secures her third brace of the season by bringing in the final goal of the game. Once again, Boelter found the ball off the foot of Navajas. After swift movement up field and a change in tempo, the senior cut across the field with a pass to Boelter, who knocked the ball into the middle of Freed-Hardeman's goal.

Boelter now has 11 goals on the season, and her connection with program leader Navajas gives UC their first conference win of the 2022 season.

The Pats outshot Freed-Hardeman 21-2, and limited the Lions to just one shot on goal. Strong defensive efforts from Amalia Wichmann and Amy Anderson helped secure UC's fifth shutout of the season, while goalkeeper Laura Vogt recorded one save, which improves her total to seven on the season thus far.  

The Patriots are now 1-0-0 in conference play and maintain their undefeated regular season record. They are set to take the field Saturday, September 24 against (RV) Bethel in McKenzie, TN. Kickoff is set for 6 PM and live video can be viewed here.

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