Williamsburg, KY – The top-ranked Patriots women's soccer team utilized a balanced approach on offense, while continuing with stifling defense to earn the 3-0 win over #16 Cumberland Friday night at the UC Soccer Complex. The win improves Cumberlands to 12-0 overall, which is the best start in program history, surpassing the 1999 team that opened the season 11-0.
Olaya Blanco led the way for UC with a goal and an assist in the match.
Carola Fontan and
Jayden Boelter each netted a goal in the match, while
Rita Aguye tallied an assist. Boelter extended her streak of netting a goal in every match as she now has 21 on the year.
Georgia Martell made four saves, while the UC backline of Aguye,
Samantha Sokolove, Blanco, and
Alba Ramirez helped secure the Patriots eighth shutout of the season.
This match was a defensive battle in the first half as both teams combined for just six shots. Seika Ikezoe notched a shot just over a minute into the match, which was saved by Martell. In the 15',
Nicole Araujo's shot sailed over the crossbar. The Patriots continued to press up field and were rewarded two minutes later as Aguye sent a cross into the box, where Boelter headed it into the net putting the Patriots in front 1-0. The Phoenix tallied two corner kicks and a trio of shots over the next 15 minutes, however, Cumberlands turned them away preserving the 1-0 lead into halftime.
The Patriots, who improve to 3-0 in MSC play, forced a corner kick in the 49'. A couple minutes later, UC took advantage of a Phoenix foul as Blanco played the free kick to Fontan, who sent it just inside the far post for her fifth goal of the season extending the lead to 2-0. The two teams traded shots over the next ten minutes before the Pats struck again. In the 70', Blanco cut towards the middle of the pitched and fired a laser shot just under the crossbar for a goal giving UC the 3-0 lead. The Patriots continued with their strong defensive effort as Martell notched a pair of saves for the 3-0 final.
Cumberlands will travel to Columbia, KY to face Lindsey Wilson on Wednesday, October 23. The match is slated to begin at 6 p.m. (ET).
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