Lebanon, TN – In a battle of NAIA top-20 teams, the third-ranked UC women's soccer team utilized stifling defense to defeat #12 Cumberland 1-0 Wednesday afternoon.  With the win, the Patriots improve to 12-0-2 on the season and 5-0-0 in conference play, while the Phoenix move to 12-1-2 and 3-1-1.

Georgia Martell anchored the Patriots defense making five saves to blank the Phoenix, marking it the first time all season Cumberland has been shutout.  UC's backline of Amy Anderson, Rita Aguye Cots, and Lucia Gomez made countless plays in the contest.  Carola Fontan was the difference maker on offense as she notched the lone goal of the match.

It was a defensive first half as both teams were limited to two shots on frame apiece.  The Patriots controlled the tempo early on an in the tenth minute UC earned a free kick from just outside box.  Olaya Blanco played a strong lob for Carola Fontan, however an offside call nullified the goal.  The two teams traded possession over the next 20 minutes as the Phoenix recorded a shot of frame, which was saved by Georgia Martell.  Late in the half, UC pushed the ball into their attacking third.  Off a Blanco corner kick, Rita Aguye Cots headed the ball towards the net, however, it was deflected away by Cumberland's defense sending the game into half scoreless. 

Cumberlands came out strong in the second half notching a corner kick and a shot in the first ten minutes of the second half but couldn't convert.  Minutes later, Martell reached up to grab a Phoenix shot to keep the game scoreless in the 62'. The game remained tied until the 74' when Nicole Araujo was fouled inside the box, setting up Patriots penalty kick.  Fontan stepped up a drilled the shot into the right side of the net to put UC in front 1-0 with 15:57 remaining.  The goal is Fontan's tenth of the season.  The Phoenix looked for the equalizer minutes later, but Martell was there to turn them away in the 82'.  Martell made two more saves over the final eight minutes for the 1-0 final.

The Patriots will close out the regular season Monday, October 30, when they host Lindsey Wilson.  Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. at the UC Soccer Complex with live video available here.

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