The Patriots are coming off a historic run in 2022 compiling an 18-2-3 record and reaching the national semifinals for the first time in program history. UC notched a 9-0-1 mark in conference play to capture their first Mid-South Conference regular season title since 1999. Cumberlands notched 13 wins over teams that were ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches’ Poll, including four wins against the NAIA top ten. The Patriots climbed into the top-five of the NAIA rankings and stayed there for the final nine weeks of the season, closing out the year ranked third, which was the highest ranking in program history.
For the second time in the past three years, Cumberlands hosted the NAIA Opening Round. The Patriots opened nationals with a 4-0 win over IU Kokomo, before defeating Indiana Wesleyan 1-0 on a Jayden Boelter goal in the 96th minute to guide UC to the NAIA Final Site for the third straight year. In the quarterfinals of the NAIA National Tournament, Selena Barnett recorded a brace to lift the Patriots past sixth-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan and into the national semifinals for the first time in program history. UC outshot #2 Marian 16-7 in the game and had a 6-3 shot on goal advantage, however, came up just short. Cumberlands notched a plethora of honors throughout the season highlighted by Laura Navajas and Selena Barnett each earning NAIA All-American honors. UC tallied seven MSC All-Conference selections, including four First Team All-Conference selections. Head Coach Steve Hamilton was named the MSC Coach of the Year, while Carola Fontan garnered MSC Freshman of the Year honors.
While Cumberlands reached the national semifinals a year ago, their determination and focus heading into this year is to continue to build upon their success from the past half decade. Coach Steve Hamilton is entering his ninth year at the helm, where he has compiled a 109-40-13 record, including winning at least 15 games in each of the past five seasons. The Patriots have qualified for the NAIA National Tournament for the past four years, reaching the final site for three consecutive years. In addition to Coach Hamilton, assistant coaches Quentin Boric and Joel Drewery have returned to the sidelines to provide stability and a strong nucleus for the Pats.
“We have multiple goals as we enter every season that we as a unit strive to achieve. One of our main objectives early in the year to talk about the history within the program, while laying out the expectations for the season and the program moving forward,” said Coach Hamilton.
The Patriots 25-man roster consist of 11 returners coupled with 14 newcomers. According to Coach Hamilton, this year’s team could be one of the deepest in the history of the program with depth at all 11 positions on the field. The coaching staff will rely on the returners to help set the tone for the season and be leaders on the team.
“The experience that our returners bring with their understanding is so important in getting them to understand how we play. We have a lot of talented newcomers however it takes time for them to learn and gel as a group.”
The Patriots depth begins with the goalie position anchored by Georgia Martell and Laura Vogt. The duo split time in net for the past two years and are currently ranked first and third, respectively, in career save percentage. UC combined for 12 shutouts during the 2022 season, which was tied for the 12th most in the NAIA. Newcomer Hedvig Persson, from Anderslov, Sweden will also be vying for time throughout the season.
Georgia Martell played in 15 games in 2022, compiling 55 saves and an a .859 save percentage. The junior tallied at least four saves in eight games on the year, including a career-high nine saves in the NAIA quarterfinals win over the Eagles. The Brisbane, Australia native made four saves in a shutout tie with Marian earlier in the year to garner NAIA Defensive Player of the Week accolades.
Laura Vogt played in ten games in 2022, recorded a 7-1-1 record and has a career record of 33-6-2. The junior made a season-high seven saves in the 2-1 win over Campbellsville during the regular season to help the Patriots remain unbeaten. Vogt holds the program career mark with a 0.29 goals against average and a 0.833 save percentage, while her 16 shutouts is second most in program history. She opened the 2023 season with three saves in the 1-0 win over #18 Truett McConnell.
Coming off averaging 2.39 goals per game in 2022, the Patriots return their top two leading scorers and point getters from a season ago with Jayden Boelter and Carola Fontan. While the Patriots graduated Laura Navajas Marin, the program’s all-time assist leader, and Selena Barnet, Coach Hamilton believes the incoming group of freshman along with several experienced returners can provided depth and balance to Cumberlands attack.
Jayden is a three-time MSC First Team All-Conference selection and two-time NAIA All-American Honorable Mention. The junior is coming off a career-high 20 goals and 45 point season in which she notched seven multi-goal games, four of which came against teams that were ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches’ Poll. Boelter has been a prolific striker for the Patriots throughout her career. as the Hebron, KY native she has climbed to third in the Patriot record books with 52 career goals to go along with 121 career points. The junior has picked up right where she left off last year scoring the game-winning goal in the Patriots season-opening win over the 18th-ranked Bears.
In addition to Boelter, Cumberlands is counting on a handful of players to etch their names in the scoring column this year including returners Carola Fontan, Olaya Blanco, and Noah Paalman. Fontan, the reigning MSC Freshman of the Year, notched ten goals and five assists to earn MSC Second-Team All-Conference honors. Blanco and Paalman combined for nine points in their freshman campaign and with a year of experience under their belt could be poised for a breakout season.
Newcomers Abigail Little, Laura Bosca, Samantha Sokolove, and Nicole Araujo will also provided depth and a multitude of scoring threats for the Patriots offense in 2023.
One of the keys for the Patriots recent success has been the stellar play of their defense. Rita Aguye Cots and Amy Anderson are back to man the centerback position and look to build upon the continuity throughout the season. In addition to those two, UC has added depth with Camryn Broz, Lucia Gomez, and Judit Moya. Returners Sarah Hammerstone and Noah Paalman will continue to see their roles expanded as they strive to solidify the Patriots backline.
Rita Aguye Cots is coming off a breakout season a year ago, in which she earned MSC First Team All-Conference honors. The junior has played in 50 games so far in her Patriot career and is coming off a career-high six assists, which was the second most in on the team. Aguye Cots has already picked up right where she left off dishing out an assist on the game-winning goal in UC’s 1-0 win over Truett McConnell and netting a goal in the win over #10 Central Methodist to open the 2023 season. The Patriots will continue to look towards the Ametlla del Valles, Spain native for stability on the back line.
Amy Anderson is returning for her fifth year with UC after playing in all 23 games a season ago. The Cincinnati, OH native was part of the Patriots back line that has recorded 24 shutouts with her in the lineup. Cumberlands will continue to count on Anderson’s speed and versatility on the backline throughout the season.
Cumberlands is slated to play 15 games during the 2023 regular season with 11 of those games coming against teams that are ranked or receiving votes. UC opened the year 2-0 with wins over #18 Truett McConnell and #10 Central Methodist and will continue to be tested throughout the non-conference. UC’s first seven games are against ranked opponents, including a showdown with #24 Reinhardt on Saturday, August 26 at 3 p.m.
“Our goal throughout the non-conference slate is to see how we play and make the necessary adjustments ahead of conference play which begins in late September,” said Coach Hamilton.
The Mid-South is one of the toughest conference in the NAIA with four programs ranked or receiving votes in the preseason coaches’ poll. The Patriots open conference play hosting the defending MSC tournament champions #20 Campbellsville and close out their schedule at #15 Cumberland before hosting (RV) Lindsey Wilson.