McKenzie, TN – The third-ranked UC women's soccer team notched a goal in each half, while the Patriots defense stifled Bethel for a 2-0 win over the Wildcats Friday afternoon at Wildcat Stadium.  With the win, Cumberlands improves to 8-0-2 overall and 2-0-0 in conference play, while Bethel moves to 5-2-0 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

Olaya Blanco tied her season-high with three points in the match tallying an assist and a goal.  Jayden Boelter netted the game-winning goal for her ninth goal on the year as Carola Fontan picked up an assist.  Laura Vogt made four saves to earn the shutout win.

The two teams traded possession over the first ten minutes of action before UC earned a corner kick.  Carola Fontan headed the first shot of the contest, however, it sailed just over the crossbar.  Cumberlands added two more shots over the next ten minutes, including one from Olaya Blanco that deflected off the crossbar keeping the game scoreless.  Bethel responded with a surge of their own that featured three shots, only one of which was on frame and saved by Laura Vogt.  The Patriots looked to gained the advantage as Blanco and Kallen Fuller both put a shot on frame, however the Wildcats turned them away keeping the game tied 0-0 in the 34'.  In the closing minutes of the first half when Blanco played a free kick out wide to Fontan, who crossed it into the box for Jayden Boelter for the go-ahead goal giving Cumberlands a 1-0 lead in the 43'.

Cumberlands carried that momentum into the second half as Fuller tallied a shot just over a minute in.  After a Wildcats shot went wide, the Patriots looked to extend their lead as Judit Moya notched a shot, however it hit off the post keeping the score 1-0.  UC capitalized three minutes later as Blanco bent a free kick over the keeper's head and into the back of the net for her second goal of the year to make it 2-0 in the 60'. Vogt recorded her second save in the 61', while Bethel had a shot deflect off the post as UC continued to keep Bethel off the board.  The Patriots junior keeper added two more saves to earn her third shutout of the season.  In the closing seconds of the game, UC tallied five consecutive corner kicks to help run out the clock for the 2-0 final. 

UC's backline of Amy Anderson, Rita Aguye Cots, and Lucia Gomez limited Bethel to nine shots in the game.  The Patriots also held a 6-3 advantage on corner kicks. 

The Patriots return to the pitch on Wednesday, October 4, when they return home to host Freed-Hardeman in a MSC match. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. with live video available here.

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