Pensacola, FL – Carola Fontan netted the game-winning goal in the 102' as #13 Cumberlands knocked off fourth-seed College of Idaho 3-2 in double overtime of the NAIA Round of 16 game, Monday night at Ashton Brosnham Stadium. With the win the Patriots advance to the national quarterfinals, while improving to 15-4-3 overall.
Fontan led UC with a goal and an assist in the match, while
Samantha Sokolove dished out two assists.
Nicole Araujo and
Karla Waibel each netted first half goals giving Cumberlands the early lead.
Morgan White tied her career-high with 10 saves in the match.
The Patriots were aggressive from the opening whistle tallying three shots and a corner kick in the first six minutes of action. The Yotes responded with four shots over the next eight minutes as White collected four saves keeping the match scoreless. College of Idaho broke through in the 20' scoring off a cornerkick to take the 1-0 lead. Cumberlands was quick to respond as Sokolove put a corner kick into the box, where Waibel powered it into the net tying the match at 1-1 midway through the first half.
Both teams continued to trade possession over the next few minutes of action as Araujo put a shot on frame, which was saved. The Patriots backline came up with a team save off a Kyndra Lyons shot in 33' as the match stayed tied. The match remained tied until the 43' when Fontan sent a cross towards the back post where Araujo headed it in giving Cumberlands a 2-1 lead. White made a pair of saves to keep the Patriots in front 2-1 at the break.
The Patriots looked to strike early in the second half as Araujo put a shot on frame in the 48'. Both teams traded shots and possession over the next 15 minutes but neither team converted as Cumberlands remained in front 2-1. The score remained intact until the 76' when College of Idaho's Natasja Davis converted on a counterattack tying the score at 2-2. Cumberlands looked to retake the lead over the final minutes of regulation with four shots, including two on frame, but they match remained tied forcing overtime.
The Patriots were aggressive in the first overtime as Laura Bosca notched a trio of shots on frame, which were saved. The Yotes' Lyons tallied a shot on frame in the 99' minute, which was handled cleanly by White as the match went into the second overtime.
A minute into the second overtime the Patriots earned a cornerkick. After the ball was sent back, Sokolove sent a cross to the top of the box, where Fontan winded up and sliced the game-winning goal into the lower corner of the net as Cumberlands clinched the 3-2 victory.
The Patriots advance to the NAIA National Quarterfinals, where they will play the winner of #5 John Brown and #12 Life. Kickoff is set for Thursday, November 4
th, at 2 p.m. ET.
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