Bowling Green, KY – A day after punching there ticket to the MSC Tournament finals, seven UC women's soccer players were honored with MSC All-Conference distinction, conference officials announced Thursday.  The Patriots had four players garner MSC First Team accolades, while a trio of Patriots were named Second Team All-Conference honorees.

Carola Fontan and Nicole Araujo have remained a staple on the all-conference list as they are joined by Samantha Sokolove and Alba Ramirez as First Team All-Conference selections.  Forward Laura Bosca de Pedro and defenders Noah Paalman and Madison Long earn Second Team distinction.

Fontan earned All-Conference honors for the fourth straight season, and first team accolades for the third time in her career.  The senior has notched three goals, tied for the team-high with eight assists, and 14 points on the season. In the midfield, Fontan as played a critical role for the Patriots this season helping them control the possession.  She notched a season-high five points in the win at Georgetown.  Fontan moved into second place for career assists with 34.

It marks the third consecutive season that Araujo earned all-conference honors.  The junior has led the Patriots offense with a team high nine goals, eight assists, and 26 points.  Araujo netted three game-winning goals on the season, including scoring the lone goal in UC's 1-0 win over Milligan.  The Lisboa, Portugal native tallied a pair of braces on the year, including a two goal, two assist performance in the 4-0 win over (RV) Campbellsville.  Araujo has notched 22 goals and 25 assists over her three seasons with the Pats.

Cumberlands' centerback Samantha Sokolove captures First Team honors for the first time in her career.  The Hudsonville, MI native has anchored the Patriots backline that has limited opponents to 0.74 goals per game and just 8.3 shots per game.  She has played an essential role in the Patriots recording 11 clean sheets on the year, against one of the toughest schedules in the NAIA.  Sokolove has also dished out a career-best seven assists on the year, including assisting on the game-winning goal in UC's 1-0 win over Indiana Wesleyan.  The junior notched a career-high three assists in the win over Freed-Hardeman.

Having a breakout season for UC is Alba Ramirez, who earned MSC First Team All-Conference honors.  Ramirez is a holding midfielder for the Patriots and has had an incredible impact on the pitch throughout the season.  The senior has helped guide the Patriots to 11 shutouts on the year, which is ranked sixth in the NAIA.  Ramirez has notched a career-high two goals and five points on the season, including scoring the game-winning goal in the 1-0 win over #9 SCAD.

For the second straight season, Bosca has earned MSC Second Team All-Conference honors.  The junior has utilized her speed and versatility throughout the year to spark the Patriot offense.  Bosca tallied a goal and three assists on the year, including earning an assist during UC's MSC semifinal win over Lindsey Wilson Wednesday night.  She also added a goal in Cumberlands win over Georgetown. 

Paalman and Long both garner Second Team All-Conference honors after being the cornerstones of the Patriots backline.  It marks the second straight year for Paalman, while Long has put together an incredible breakout season.  The duo has been instrumental in UC's backline that leads the MSC with 11 shutouts and a 0.74 GAA.  Paalman helped set up the game-winning goal as Cumberlands knocked off top-ranked Keiser, while Long netted a pair of goals on the year, including the game-winning goal as UC defeated #13 Indiana Wesleyan. 

Cumberlands returns to the pitch on Tuesday, November 11, when they host the fourth-seed Campbellsville in the finals of the MSC Tournament at 6 p.m.  The Patriots are looking to win back-to-back MSC Tournament titles for the first time in program history.
 
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