Columbia, KY – The 10^th-ranked and third-seed Cumberlands women's soccer team never trailed in the match as they defeated second-seed and #18^th ranked Lindsey Wilson 3-2 in the semifinals of the MSC Tournament Wednesday night at Walter S. Reuling Stadium.  With the win, the Patriots advance to the championship match of the MSC Tournament for the third straight year and improve to 13-3-3 overall.

Sara Soto tallied a brace in the contest, including the game-winning goal in the 61' for her second multigoal match of the season.  Abigail Little closed out the night with a goal and two assists, while Laura Bosca de Pedro notched an assist in the contest.  Morgan White made a pair of saves in the win.

Cumberlands was aggressive from the opening whistle putting a pair of shots on goal in the first six minutes of play.  The Patriots broke through in the 8' as UC played the ball down the right flank to Bosca, who crossed it into the box for Nicole Araujo.  The senior shot was deflected by the Lindsey Wilson keeper, however, the loose ball was tapped by Little in front of the net, where Soto push the ball across the line giving Cumberlands the 1-0 lead.  The Patriots continued to be aggressive recording five shots and a pair of corner kicks over the next 15 minutes of action.  Both goalies were called upon in the 24' and answered the call keeping the score 1-0.  The Blue Raiders looked for an equalizer in the 34' tallying a pair of corner kicks, however, their header sailed wide of the net keeping the Patriots in front 1-0.



The Blue Raiders notched a corner kick and a shot just over a minute into the second half, which was saved by White keeping it 1-0.  UC extends their lead in the 51' as Araujo led a counterattack as she centered the ball to Bosca at the top of the box.  The junior got by one defender before sliding the ball across the box where Little made a run for the finish, making it a 2-0 lead. 



Lindsey Wilson cut the lead to 2-1, before the Patriots struck again in the 61'. Samantha Sokolove sent a corner kick towards the near post, where Little sent it across the box for Soto who slid the ball across the line extending the lead to 3-1.  The Blue Raiders added a goal two minutes later cutting the lead to 3-2.  Carola Fontan tallied a pair of shots, one of which deflected off the post, as Cumberlands held on to a one goal lead.  The Patriots defense continued to pressure the ball and held the Blue Raiders without a shot over the final 19 minutes of the match to earn the 3-2 victory.



Cumberlands returns to the pitch on Tuesday, November 11, when they host the fourth-seed Campbellsville, who defeated Cumberland 3-1.  The Patriots are looking to win back-to-back MSC Tournament titles for the first time in program history.
 
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