MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (November 17, 2023) - The #16 St. Thomas University (STU) Women's Soccer team will enter the Second Round of the NAIA National Championship on Saturday. The Bobcats took a flight to Tennessee where they will face off against Cumberland University (Tenn.) at 2 p.m. EST. 

After a successful season going 13-3-2 overall and 9-3-2 in Sun Conference play, the Bobcats have earned an at-large berth into the NAIA National Championship Tournament. The Battle for the Red Banner begins on Saturday, November 18th at 2 p.m. when they face Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn. At 2 p.m. EST.  

The Cumberland University Phoenix earned an automatic berth into the National Championship after winning the Mid-South Conference Championship and finishing with an overall record of 15-1-3. They lost one match to the #3 University of the Cumberlands in late October, 0-1. This will be the second time the Bobcats and the Phoenix will meet. Their first meeting was in 2021 during the Opening Round of the NAIA National Championship which took place in West Palm Beach, Fla. where the Bobcats fell to the Phoenix 1-2.  

Players to Watch 

• Graduate Student Gabrielle Cimino has been leading the team all season in multiple categories. Cimino has nine goals, six assists, and 77 shots. Cimino has played a crucial role on the field for the Bobcats this season. 

• Miranda Ferradaz and Rebecca Louis were recently named to the Sun Conference All-Tournament Team after their performances in the playoffs. Ferradaz notched a goal and an assist during the first playoff game against Warner University while Louis has consistently been a stronghold on the Bobcats' Defense. 

• Alexandra Santiago was named Sun Conference Player of the Week during the first round of playoffs after scoring two goals in the Quarterfinal match up against Warner. Santiago has notched four goals this season, putting her in second for the Bobcats in leading scorers this season. 

-STU-