The University of the Cumberlands (UC) Women's Soccer team has stepped up their game in the past week.  The Patriot ladies went 2-1 on the week, beginning with a loss to Bluefield College 8-1. Cumberlands then pulled together and won their first two games of the season against Midway College and Brescia College. Their season record is now 2-3. 

The Patriots had a rough start on Wednesday, losing 8-1 to fellow Mid-South Conference (MSC) member Bluefield College.  Although Cumberlands had both a strong offense and defense, they were not able to hold back the Rams. Scoring the lone goal for the Patriots was sophomore Briana Parrish (Paris, KY), who also a couple more chances at goals but came up empty handed.  Kim Robinson (Berea, KY) also played tough offense with 4 shots and 2 shots on goal, followed by Toni Dempsey (Australia), who took 3 shots.  Goalie Brittany Howard (Lexington, KY) had 5 saves.

The Patriots then traveled to Midway College where they won their first game of the season 1-0 on Friday.  Ana Derrico (Brazil) scored the goal 10 minutes into the first half, and then with great defense, UC held off Midway to stay in the lead.  Robinson took 3 shots with 1 shot on goal, followed by freshman Michelle Bailey (Buckinghamshire, England), who took 2 shots on goal.  Goalie Autumn Williams (Lexington, KY) saved 6 shots and allowed no goals for her first shutout of her career. 

The Patriots continued their winning streak with an amazing game against Brescia University.  Cumberlands began scoring 15 minutes into the first half with a header by Derrico with an assist by Myrick.  Defense held off Brescia as Victoria Paynter (Surphur, KY) scored another goal with just over a minute left in the first half, bringing the score to 2-0 with the Patriots in the lead at the break.

One minute into the second half, Robinson scored another goal followed by another goal by Parrish 10 minutes later.  Freshman Esme Purkis (England) scored the final two goals for the Patriots within three minutes of each other, with an assist by Bailey on the final goal.  The Patriots held off Brescia to secure another shutout win for UC 6-0. 

The Patriots will travel on Wednesday, September 19^th to Ohio where they will take on MSC member Rio Grande beginning at 5 pm.

For more information on the Patriots Women's Soccer program along with other Patriot athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com.

_{Article provided by Courtney Hixson, UC Multimedia and Athletic Services Student Assistant}