Williamsburg, KY – Carola Fontan recorded a brace, while
Georgia Martell notched four saves as the third-seed UC women's soccer team defeated University of Northwestern Ohio 2-0 in the second round of the NAIA Tournament Saturday night at the UC Soccer Complex. With the win, the Patriots advance to the NAIA final site for the fourth consecutive year and improve to 14-1-3 overall on the season.
Fontan tallied her fourth brace to go along with her fourth game-winning goal of the season to lead the Patriots offense.
Laura Bosca and
Noah Paalman both earned assists in the win. Martell along with UC's backline of
Amy Anderson,
Rita Aguye Cots, and
Camryn Broz limited UNOH to just five shots in the match as Cumberlands tallied their seventh shutout of the season.
The Racers controlled the possession early on as Vivian Purmonen put a shot on frame in the second minute, however, Martell grabbed it to keep the game scoreless. The teams traded possession over the next 15 minutes until
Olaya Blanco sent a corner kick into the box for Fontan, but her header went over the crossbar. The game remained scoreless until the 33' as
Jayden Boelter drew a foul just outside the box. On the freekick, Fontan sent a laser into the right side of the net for the goal, giving the Patriots a 1-0 advantage. UC notched two more shots and took a 1-0 edge into the break.
Martell made her second save just a minute into the second half to preserve the 1-0 advantage. Both goalies notched a save over the next 20 minutes of play as they score remained 1-0. Cumberlands extended their lead in the 74' as
Nicole Araujo played a ball out wide to Bosca, who sent a cross to back post. Paalman made a run and centered the ball with a header as Fontan's shot ricochet of the post and went in to complete the brace and make it 2-0. The Racers looked for a quick response but once again the Patriots defense shut them down and UC controlled the possession over the final ten minutes earning three corner kick and three shots despite not converting the Patriots ran out the clock for the 2-0 final.
Cumberlands finished the game out shooting the Racers 10-5, while the Patriots posted a 5-1 edge on corner kicks.
UC advances to Foley, AL where they will play OUAZ in the round of 16 on Tuesday, November 28. The Spirit advanced to the round of 16 after advancing on penalty kicks.
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