Williamsburg, KY – The Patriots women's soccer team picked up right where they left off in December opening the season with a 3-0 win over (RV) Olivet Nazarene Saturday afternoon at the UC Soccer Complex.
Jayden Boelter notched her fifth career hat trick, while George Martell made four saves to earn the clean sheet.
Boelter notched her three goals on four shots, with two of them coming in the second half.
Nicole Araujo dished out a pair of assists, while
Noah Paalman and
Rita Aguye each tallied an assist as well. Cumberlands backline of Aguye, Paalman,
Samantha Sokolove, and
Olaya Blanco limited the Tigers to just five shots, including one in the second half.
UC came out strong from the opening whistle controlling the possession. The Patriots looked to strike early as
Sarah Hammerstone took a shot just over a minute in, however, it sailed high. Minutes later,
Alba Ramirez forced a Tigers turnover and started the transition pushing the ball forward to Araujo. The sophomore crossed it immediately into the box for Boelter, who took one touch before netting the first goal of the season to put UC in front 1-0.
Laura Bosca added a shot in the 10' which was saved by the Olivet Nazarene keeper. The Tigers looked for the equalizer in the 23', however, Martell made the save to keep the Patriots in front. Bosca and Aguye each put a shot on frame, but couldn't convert keeping the score 1-0 midway through the first half. In the closing minutes of the half, Martell made a pair of critical saves, including one of a Samantha Larsen header in the closing seconds of the period to keep the Patriots in front at the break.
The Pats came out in the second looking to control the possession and extend their lead. Minutes into the half, Hammerstone pushed the ball up the left side of the field to Paalman, who made a run before crossing it to Boelter for the finish to extend the lead to 2-0. On the next Cumberlands possession, Aguye pushed the ball forward into the box as Araujo tracked it down and utilized a one-touch pass to Boelter for the finish, just 52 seconds later to make it a 3-0 advantage. The Patriots continued to control the possession for majority of the second half out shooting Olivet Nazarene 10-1 over the final 38 minutes of play.
It is the eighth consecutive year that UC has won their season opener.
UC will return to the field Wednesday, August 21, when they travel to Waleska, GA to face Reinhardt.
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