COLUMBIA, Ky. – The last time Davenport and Cumberland (Tenn.) met in a women's soccer match the Panthers rallied and stunned the Bulldogs with a double-overtime win to advance to the quarterfinal in last year's NAIA National Championship.
 
It appeared the Bulldogs did not forget that defeat when the two top 10 teams in the NAIA met again on Lindsey Wilson's campus Friday evening. After going back-and-forth with the possession in the first half, the eighth-ranked Bulldogs avenged the loss by scoring four times in the second period to shut out the No. 7 Panthers.
 
Despite being handed the first loss of the season, the Panthers (6-1-0) will have a chance to bounce back as they return to the pitch to face the host and third-ranked Blue Raiders Saturday under the lights at 8 p.m. EDT.
 
The first half saw both teams battling for possession. Davenport goalkeeper Tara Gessler made three saves in the first half while the offense came close to breaking the ice in the 39^th minute. Shameeka Fishley took a shot inside the penalty box but was blocked by Bulldog keeper Lindsay Kitson. Amanda Skidmore fired a shot off the deflection but sailed wide left.
 
Cumberland (6-0-1) took a 1-0 lead 10 minutes into the second half when Kaitlin Phillips dribbled across midfield and chipped a shot over Gessler and into the net.
 
Davenport's best chance to tying the match came in the 59^th minute when a Paige Eli's free kick from about 30 yards hit the crossbar.
 
The Bulldogs would take a 2-0 lead in the 63^rd minute when Emily Shires sent the ball into an open net. Taylor Nay would put the match out of the Panthers reach with goals in the 73^rd and 80^th minute.
 
Although they were outshot 14-9, DU did have an advantage on corner kick opportunities 5-2.
 
Post-Match Notes
Cumberland advances in the all-time series 2-1-0…It is the first time Davenport has dealt with a shutout and a loss since falling to national runner-up Westmont (Calif.) in the NAIA tournament quarterfinal last year…Ellie Chandler made her Davenport debut while Letesha Cannonier checked into a match for the first time this season…It is only the third time this season Davenport has been outshot by an opponent (Northwood and Indiana Wesleyan)…
 
Women's Soccer Contact: Rick Hoskin | 616-871-6180 | rhoskin@davenport.edu
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