The ACPHS women's soccer team defeated Paul Smith's College by a score of 5-1 in the opening round of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association on Thursday afternoon. Sarah Cope scored twice, and the Panthers also received goals from Alexa Schooley, Megan Phillips and Frances Ripepi as they advance to the semifinal round where they will face the University of Maine-Fort Kent.

With 24 minutes gone in the opening half, Schooley connected on a beautiful shot into the lower left of the goal to give ACPHS the early lead. At the 30 minute mark, Cope scored to extend the Panthers' lead and she followed that up with another goal just two minutes later to give ACPHS a commanding 3-0 lead. The two goals were Cope's 14th and 15th of the season, tying her for the team lead.

Phillips scored her first goal of the season on a blast into the corner of the net that just got past the Bobcats' keeper at the 41st minute, giving ACPHS an insurmountable lead. In the second half, Ripepi matched Cope with her 15th goal of the season, scoring on a direct kick to complete the scoring for the Panthers. Nicole Landry scored a goal for Paul Smith's in the 88th minute for the only goal of the game for the Bobcats.

Alex Weston made five saves in net for ACPHS as the Panthers improved to 9-4-1 on the season.

Next up in the semifinal round is UMaine-Fort Kent which has won the past two USCAA National Championships (2010 and 2011) and comes into the game with a record of 15-0.