Top-ranked University of the Cumberlands (Kentucky) scored three times during the opening 15 minutes in defeating No. 18 Georgia Gwinnett College 5-0 in NAIA women's soccer action Monday evening in Williamsburg, Kentucky.
The match began a six-match road swing for the Grizzlies (7-4-1), which have played six nationally ranked opponents this season.
Nicole Araujo scored the first two goals for Cumberlands (10-0-0), finding the back of the net in the fourth and ninth minutes of match. Jayden Boelter tallied her 19th goal of the season during the 12th minute to round out the early offensive surge.
Laura Bosco extended the host's lead to 4-0 with an unassisted goal in the 42nd minute. Then, Araujo provided a pass to set up Carola Fontan's goal during the 82nd minute to cap the night's scoring.
The Patriots outshot GGC by a 17-8 margin, with the Grizzlies registering seven shot attempts in the second half. Sophomore
Riko Yasuzawa had a team-high five shots, including three shots on goal.
Turning Point
Cumberlands asserted itself early, finding the back of the net three times during the opening 15 minutes to build a commanding lead in Monday's match. Nicole Araujo scored the first two goals, during the fourth and ninth minutes, and Jayden Boelter netted her 19th goal of the season to cap the early scoring.
Goals
4' – Nicole Araujo, UC (Laura Bosca and Carola Fontan)
9' – Nicole Araujo, UC (Laura Bosca)
12' – Jayden Boelter, UC (Alba Ramirez)
42' – Laura Bosca, UC (Unassisted)
82' – Carola Fontan, UC (Nicole Araujo)
Inside The Numbers
- Cumberlands outshot the Grizzlies by a 17-8 margin
- Sophomore Riko Yasuzawa led GGC with five shot attempts
- The Patriots recorded four corner kicks across Monday's 90 minutes of action
- Twenty different GGC players appeared in the match
News & Notes
- GGC is now 7-4-1 for 2024; Cumberlands improves to 10-0-0 on the season
- The Grizzlies were ranked No. 18 in the latest NAIA Top 25 poll; Cumberlands stood No. 1 in the same poll
- Monday's victory gives the Patriots a 5-4-1 lead in the series history
- The match marked the sixth NAIA nationally ranked opponent that the Grizzlies have faced this season
Up Next
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to travel to Lindsey Wilson College (Kentucky) on Wednesday, October 9, at Columbia, Kentucky, starting at 8 p.m.