Fort Wayne, IN – For the first time in program history, UC is advancing to the second game of the NAIA Men's Soccer Opening Round. Cumberlands the #2 seed dominated the game, winning 6-0 over three-seeded Bethel (IN).

The Patriots recorded their most shots in a game this year with 26, putting 14 on frame. For the third time this season, Rodrigo Riveros had a multigoal game, earning a brace. Nemanja Jovanovic scored in the third straight game and his fellow defender Aleksandar Mirkovic alos tallied a goal. Both Hrannar Magnusson and Ricardo Lopes de Matos scored their first goals of the season. Half of the Patriots's goals were assists by Sergio Infantes Castell, the most amount of assists in a single game for the senior.

UC had control of the match from the start, firing off 11 shots compared to Bethel's three before a goal was scored. Magnusson nearly converted a goal in the 35' minute after he was one-on-one with the keeper, but an outstretched hand poked the ball away from Magnusson. Just two minutes later Magnusson's efforts in front of goal were rewarded. Infantes Castell slotted a ball to Magnusson through three defenders. Magnusson caught up to the ball on the right side of the box, drawing the keeper out once again. This time Magnusson got around the keeper and skipped th ball into the net for the 1-0 UC advantage.

With less than a minute before halftime, Cumberlands doubled their lead. Joel Drewery took the ball from midfield, down the right side of the pitch. He used speed and his craft on the ball to position himself just outside the 18-yard box. The captain lofted a ball in between two defenders right to Riveros, who headed the ball into the goal.

The Patriots took the 2-0 advantage into halftime and only needed 11 minutes into the second half to net another goal. UC was awarded a free kick just past midfield. Liam Healey sent the ball to the top of the 18-yard box towards Magnusson, who headed the ball towards goal. Jovanovic fired off a shot, but it was blocked. The ball rolled to Riveros who sent a one time shot into the net past the keeper, putting Cumberlands up 3-0.

The next pair of goals came less than seven minutes later both by defenders for the Patriots. The first was for Jovanovic off another free kick. On the edge of the attacking third for Cumnberlands Infantes Castell sliced a ball to an unmarked Jovanvic who flicked the ball with his head into the goal.

The game become 5-0 off another well played ball from Infantes Castell. This time he had a corner on the right side of the field. He placed the ball to the back corner, high in the air. Standing at 6'2'', Mirkovic climbed into the air and sent a booming header into goal.

On the day Akililu Zambataro made six saves, the most he has made all season. The Pilots were looking to find a goal late in the game, but Zambataro stood his ground, making three saves in the final 15 minutes to preserve the shutout.

The final goal for Cumberlands came in the 82' once again from a header. Milan Stojanovic shielded off a defender just inside the 18-yard box. He dribbled the ball towards the endline and lobbed a ball across the net. Lopes de Matos ran onto the ball knocking it into the goal, giving UC the 6-0 victory.

This marks the ninth straight win for the Patriots and their eighth shutout of the season. The win propels them to a 12-5-2 record, marking the most wins since 2010.

Cumberlands will now face the #1 seed Indiana Tech on Saturday, April 24 at 1 PM. The winner of the match wins the Fort Wayne Bracket and advances to the NAIA Final Site. the live video for Saturday's game can be found here and live stats available here.

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