Williamsburg, KY – Facing their second ranked opponent in as many games, the fourth-ranked Patriots netted a pair of goals off set pieces to knock off tenth-ranked Central Methodist 2-1 Wednesday night at the UC Soccer Complex. With the win, UC improves to 2-0-0 on the year, while the Eagles move to 0-1-0.
Rita Aguye Cots and
Jayden Boelter each headed in a goal in the match, while
Olaya Blanco and
Carola Fontan both earned their first assist of the season. Cumberlands outshot Central Methodist 17-4 in the game, including holding an 8-3 advantage with shots on goal.
UC looked to gain an early lead as
Noah Paalman sent a header towards the goal, however, it wasn't on frame keeping the game scoreless. A couple minutes later, Stine Lie sent a corner kick into the box, which was headed by the Eagles but
Georgia Martell came off the line to make the save. It looked like Cumberlands was going to jump ahead in the 12' as Boelter flip a shot over the goalie, however, Andrea Jimenez made a sliding save for Central Methodist to prevent the ball from crossing the goal line as the game remained tied. The Patriots added five shots over the next 30 minutes of play and controlled the possession for majority of the first half. In the closing minutes of the half, the Eagles were whistled for a handball which set up a free kick for the Pats. Blanco sent a high cross into the box and Aguye Cots headed it into the upper right corner of the goal to put Cumberlands in front 1-0. It was Aguye Cots first goal since November 1, 2021, as the Patriots took a 1-0 lead into the break.
Central Methodist came out of halftime looking for a quick strike and earned it four minutes into the second half. After earning a free kick, the Eagles sent a cross into the box, which was headed by Mariana Barreto for a goal to even the score at 1-1. The two teams traded possession over the next ten minutes before
Laura Bosca put a well-placed shot on frame, however, the Eagles' goalie made a diving save to keep the score tied. UC continued to apply the pressure over the next several minutes resulting in two corner kicks and three shots. In the 80' Fontan sent a high corner kick into the far side of the box, where Boelter headed it just under the crossbar for the goal to give the Patriots a 2-1 advantage. It marks Boelter's second game-winning goal of the season and her 53
rd career goal. Both teams tallied a shot in the final ten minutes but neither were on frame as Cumberlands held on for the 2-1 final.
UC will return to the pitch on Saturday, August 26, when they host #24 Reinhardt. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at the UC Soccer Complex with live video of the match available
here.
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.
