No. 12 Women's Soccer Uses Late Goal to Earn Tie With No. 8 Cumberlands

Marshall, Mo., (Aug. 23, 2025)- The No. 12 Missouri Valley College women's soccer team opened its 2025 season with a top 20 non-conference contest at home against No. 8 Cumberlands (Ky.).  The Vikings fell behind early, but used a late goal to earn a 2-2 tie.

Play opened with Cumberlands taking control early, with Senior Goalkeeper Marina Barbara Bujalance (Cornella Llobregat, Spain) making a save just over three minutes into play.  The Patriots continued to pressure the Missouri Valley defense, and eventually scored the first goal of the contest, nearly five minute into play.  Senior Defender Daijah White (Tucson, Ariz.) deflected a shot away from goal near the 12-minute mark to keep MVC at a one-goal deficit.  Missouri Valley was unable to create an attempt through much of play in the half.  With just under 15-minutes remaining until halftime, Cumberlands had a shot hit off the crossbar, then came back two minutes later with another quality chance to increase its lead to 2-0.  The Vikings responded after falling behind by two goals, and Senior Forward Ashley Arribas (Lake Forest, Calif.) tested the Patriot keeper.  However, the rebound went across the face of  the goal and Senior Defender Zoe Christofaro (Tuscon, Ariz.) scored from close-range to bring the team into a 2-1 deficit with less than seven minutes remaining in the half.  The two teams traded possession through the final minutes of play, and went into halftime at 2-1.

Missouri Valley came out after the break and pressured the Cumberlands defense with the better of possession.  Christofaro forced the UC keeper into a save just four minutes into play, then Senior Midfielder Carla Carmona (Barcelona, Spain) had a shot saved off the goal line by a Patriot defender near the 53-minute mark.  Missouri Valley held Cumberlands from creating any quality chances through a stretch of play, and Carmona had another shot saved midway through the half.  The two teams traded possession through the final stretch of play, until the final minute, when the Patriots were called for a foul nearly 30-yards from goal.  Senior Midfielder Judit Ferre (Barcelona, Spain) stepped up for the free kick, and sent a shot over the UC keeper and into goal to tie the game in the final moments of play.  The Vikings finished out the rest of the time remaining, and earned a 2-2 tie.

Christofaro and Ferre each scored their first goal of the season.  Barbara Bujalance made one save in goal.  Missouri Valley held an 11-7 advantage in shots, and put seven shots on goal. 

The tie moves Missouri Valley to 0-0-1, and Cumberlands sits at 1-0-1.

Up next, the Viking women's soccer team plays another ranked opponent, hosting No. 16 Oklahoma Wesleyan, Aug. 30 at 11 a.m., inside Volney C. Ashford Stadium.

Box Score-Click Here 

About Missouri Valley College

Standing out as one of the most innovative and student-focused liberal arts colleges in the Midwest, Missouri Valley College (MVC) is committed to preparing students for success beyond the classroom. Through the Viking Voyage program, MVC prioritizes career readiness from day one, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel after graduation. Each of MVC's 30+ in-demand majors—including nursing, business, cybersecurity, computer science, criminal justice, and exercise science—integrates personal instruction, experiential learning, and professional opportunities to prepare graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing and globally connected world. At Missouri Valley College, higher education is more than earning a degree—it's a transformative journey that begins with the end.