Williamsburg, KY - Aleksa Blagojevic netted a pair of first half goals to lead the University of the Cumberlands Men's Soccer Team to a 3-1 win over Shawnee State 3-1 in Mid-South Conference action Saturday afternoon at the UC Soccer Complex. With the win the Patriots improve to 7-4-3 overall and 3-1 in MSC play, while the Bears fall to 2-13 and 0-4 in MSC play.
 
Shawnee State started the game with possession and on the opening drive Mitchell Patchett fired a shot, which was saved by Ivan Martin, but Patchett was there for the rebound and netted a goal to give the Bears a 1-0 lead, 53 seconds into the first half.   Zach Wallace and Max Aken-Tyers both tried to help the Patriots tie the game as they each put a shot of frame, but Shawnee State's goalie Matthew Boreman was there for the save. The score remained 1-0 until the 25' minute when Joel Drewery sent the pass forward to Blagojevic, who connected with the back of the net to even the game at one a piece. Minutes later, Drewery tried to net a goal of his own to give UC the lead, but Boreman was there to record his third save of the half. The Patriots continued their offensive attack as Joel Caldwell's cross  was deflected to Blagojevic, who made one touch before firing a shot just inside the far post to give Cumberlands a 2-1 lead going into the half.
 
Cumberlands carried the momentum into the second half and won the possession battle.  Just over ten minutes into the second half UC would extend their lead to 3-1 as Caldwell crossed the ball to Wallace in front of the net for a goal. The two teams exchanged possession over the course of the next 20 minutes with neither team able to produce a shot.  Nicklas Nancke put a shot on goal for the Patriots in the 76' minute but couldn't convert.  Shawnee State looked to cut into the lead in the 85' minute as Bryce Romanello fired a shot towards the net, but Martin was there for the save and help the Patriots secure the 3-1 win.
 
Leading the way for the Patriots was Blagojevic recorded his second multi goal game of the season.  He now leads Cumberlands with five goals on the season and nine of his 12 points have come in conference play.  Drewery and Caldwell each dished out an assist, while Martin earns his first career win in goal.
 
Cumberlands will return to the field on Tuesday, October 17, when they travel to Campbellsville, KY to face #13 Campbellsville University. The game is slated to start at 8:00 p.m.
 
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