Williamsburg, KY – The Patriots women's soccer team is set to open their 2025 NAIA Tournament run Saturday afternoon at noon when they host (RV) Columbia in the Second Round of the NAIA Tournament.  This kickoffs UC's seventh consecutive trip to the second round of the national tournament and it marks the fifth time that Cumberlands begins tournament play at the UC Soccer Complex.  The Patriots have compiled a 13-4-3 overall record including a 4-2 mark in Mid-South Conference play as UC reached the MSC Tournament finals. 
 
Stifling Defense

Cumberlands has done a tremendous job limiting opponents to one goal or fewer in each match this season.  The Patriots backline of Samantha Sokolove, Madison Long, Noah Paalman, and Karla Waibel have limited opponents to 8.2 shots per game.  UC's defense along with goalie Morgan White has produced 11 clean sheets this season, which ranks tenth in the NAIA, while holding opponents to a 0.80 goals against average.  White has made 74 saves on the year, while posting an 82.2% save percentage across the 20 matches that she has started.  The Patriots have also seen incredible play from their midfield position with Alba Ramirez, Lucia Domingo Porcel, and Wakana Ose who have helped set the pace and tone throughout the season. 
 
Balanced Approach
 
The Patriots have utilized a balance offense approach with eight players tallying double-digit points on the season.   Araujo enters the tournament with a team-best nine goals, eight assists, and 26 points, while Abigail Little has tallied a career-high 20 points.  Carola Fontan, who is a two-time NAIA All-American, enters the tournament after netting a goal and an assist in the MSC Tournament.  The senior is in program history with 34 career assists.  Freshman Tori Robinson  has netted six goals, while Juana Fernandez Calvo and Ose are tied with 12 points apiece.

Honors and Awards
 
Cumberlands have earned a plethora of recognition throughout the season.  The Patriots had seven players capture all-conference honors, including a quartet of MSC First Team All-Conference selections.  Carola Fontan and Nicole Araujo are repeat recipients of All-Conference honors, while Sokolove and Ramirez captured MSC First Team All-Conference honors for the first time as Patriots.  Stellar play from Noah Paalman, Laura Bosca, and Madison Long garnered the trio Second Team All-Conference honors.  In addition, Cumberlands had a seven MSC Players of the Week, while Morgan White earned NAIA Defensive Player of the Week as the Patriots secured the 1-0 win over then top-ranked Keiser.
 
NAIA Tournament
 
The Patriots will face Columbia in the NAIA Second Round.  This is the second meeting between these two schools and the first since 2020.  Cumberlands won the first 2-0, however, this marks the first time these two teams will square off in the NAIA National Tournament.  The winner of the match will advance to the NAIA final site in Pensacola, FL.
 
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