Williamsburg, Ky. – The second-ranked Patriots defended their home field in a top-10 non-conference matchup, defeating ninth-ranked SCAD 1-0 Tuesday afternoon at the UC Soccer Complex. UC used an early goal from
Alba Ramirez and a strong defensive effort to secure the victory.
Cumberlands struck early as they controlled possession and pushed forward in the opening minutes. In the 6', the Patriots broke through when the ball was played down the right flank to Nicole Araujo, who made one move before sending a cross into the box that found Ramirez for the finish and a 1-0 lead. It marked Ramirez's first goal of the season and just her second career goal.
The Patriots nearly doubled their advantage in the 20' as Araujo's shot deflected off the crossbar, while Evelyn Saldivar's effort moments later bounced off the post to keep the margin at one. SCAD responded with chances of their own as Cali Wuestefeld forced a save from Morgan White in the 33', before the Bees added another attempt on frame five minutes later that White turned away. Both teams threatened in the closing moments of the half, but UC carried its 1-0 lead into the break.
Out of the half, Cumberlands looked to extend their advantage with a cross into the box that narrowly missed connecting with Araujo. SCAD countered with a flurry of chances, including two shots and a pair of corners between the 52' and 55', but White came up big with back-to-back saves to deny the Bees' equalizer. Ramirez nearly doubled her tally in the 62' with a shot that sailed just wide left, before UC continued to rotate fresh legs into the match.
The Patriots looked dangerous again in the 78' when Araujo served a corner into the box that found Letizia Traversone for a header that drifted wide. From there, the Bees pressed forward with late opportunities, but the UC backline and White held firm. The freshman goalkeeper recorded her third stop of the half in the 73' and finished the afternoon with four saves. Cumberlands absorbed the late pressure and managed the clock despite picking up a few late cards to secure the clean sheet.
UC tallied 11 shots, including four on frame, while SCAD recorded 12 shots with four on goal. The Bees held a 4-3 edge in corner kicks, but the Patriots' defense turned away each chance.
With the win, Cumberlands improves to 8-1-3 overall, while SCAD moves to 5-2-1 on the season.
The Patriots return to the pitch on Wednesday, October 9, when they host (RV) Lindsey Wilson in an MSC showdown. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. at the UC Soccer Complex.
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