Lebanon, TN -  The University of the Cumberlands men' soccer team dropped their Mid-South Conference opener to Cumberland University 3-0 Tuesday afternoon at the CU Soccer Field. With the win the Phoenix improve to 8-1 overall and 1-0 in the MSC, while UC falls to 4-3-3 overall and 0-1 in the MSC.
 
Ahmed Ghatwary was key for Cumberlands as he recorded six saves in the game. The six saves for Ghatwary marked the second time he recorded six or more saves in a game this season.
 
UC was forced into a defensive stand early as the Phoenix tried to net a goal in the eighth minute and then again in the 11' both shots being saved by Ghatwary to keep the score at 0-0. Cumberland struck first in the 17' minute when Markus Skraastad kicked a long pass up to Brian McNamara, who was able to find the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. Ghatwary and UC backline were able to keep the Phoenix off the board until the 26' when McNamara netted his second goal of the contest, this time with an assist by Bakary Bagayogo and Markus Skraastad when the ball deflected across the line to give Cumberland a 2-0 lead. UC was able to get two shots off in the half one coming in the 30'  by Joel Drewery and another in the 31' by Logan Parson, both shots went high. Cumberland scored their final goal of the game when Patrick Crowley kicked a high pass to Daniel Pickens who volleyed it into the net to extend their lead to 3-0 going into half.
 
UC picked up the defensive pressure in the second half limiting the Phoenix to six shots. Cumberlands looked to extend their lead in the 57' minute as Patrick Crowley fired a shot, but the Patriots backline block it to keep the score 3-0. Ghatwary recorded a pair of saves in second to keep the Phoenix off the board. Smith Pepper tried to help the Patriots gain momentum off a corner kick in the 71', but that was all UC could amount as CU held on for the 3-0 win.
 
Cumberlands will continue their conference slate next Tuesday, October 3 as they travel to Pikeville, KY to take on University of Pikeville the game is slated to begin at 5 p.m.
 
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