Box Score WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – Two goals from junior forward Jessica Ralph helped secured a 3-1 Campbellsville University road victory at University of the Cumberlands Saturday, Oct. 27 and also locked up a third-place finish in the Mid-South Conference regular season standings.
Alex Shaffer and Ralph were a dynamic duo in the first half. Shaffer put the Lady Tigers in front, 1-0, with a goal in the opening minute of play with an assist from Ralph. Ralph's goal, assisted by Shaffer, in the 11th minute proved to be the game-winner.
She added her second goal of the game in the 49th minute, giving CU a 3-0 lead, the assist from Kelsey Mandel. The shot tied Laura Swencki for second place on the Lady Tigers' all-time goals scored list with 32. Megan Campbell holds the record with 38 goals.
"I'm pleased with the win but not happy they scored," said head coach Thom Jones. "We need to fix some things on defense before the tournament, but I'm very pleased we finished conference play 7-2 and in 3rd place. That was our best regular season finish in the MSC."
Victoria Paynter netted the Patriots only goal in the 69th minute, putting an end to CU's run of winning all games by shutout this season.
Campbellsville placed nine of its 13 shots on target in the game, including its first seven straight. Cumberlands' goalkeeper Autumn Williams had six saves in the loss, while Brandie Hagerman stopped four of the five shots she faced.
The Lady Tigers (9-7-1, 7-2 MSC) will enter the Mid-South Conference Tournament as the No. 3 seed and will host No. 6 Bluefield College (9-8, 4-5 MSC) in the first round Saturday, Nov. 3 at Finley Stadium and Citizens Bank Field. Game time is to be determined.
The top eight teams in the MSC regular season advance to the conference tournament, with the final four teams playing Nov. 8-9 at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Ky., for the semifinals and championship.
