McKenzie, TN – Taking on #23 Bethel on the road proved to be no problem for #15 Cumberlands. The UC men's soccer team defeated the Wildcats 2-1 for their fifth straight victory on the season for a 5-2-1 overall record and 2-0 Mid-South Conference record.

Stephen Appiah once again had his name all over the scoresheet recording a goal and an assist in the match. This marks the fifth straight game the Louisville, KY native has tallied a goal, giving him eight so far this season. Antonis Seraphides scored the second goal of the game and his second goal of the year.

The first half was fairly even between the two squads. Both teams fired off five shots, with UC having the slight advantage of four of them on frame. Pablo Vazquez had one of his busiest games in goal, having to make nine saves in the match. That marks the most by a keeper in a single game for UC since Clement May had 10 saves against Lindsey Wilson in 2019.

The stalemate was broken up from an Appiah goal, early in the second half. The Patriots moved the ball across the field quickly, catching the Wildcats out of position. Shuma Sasaki found Tommaso Ogliari out wide and with a defender closing in Ogliari crossed the ball into the box. Appiah perfectly timed his run to be in the six-yard box as the ball crossed and he headed it into the net for the 1-0 lead. The assist for Ogliari gives the captain three in the last two matches.

The Wildcats were set up well in the 75' to try and find the equalizer. They received a free kick just outside the 18-yard box in the middle of the pitch. BU's attacker took a shot on goal from the spot, but Vazquez was able to catch the ball and keep it out of the net.

UC extended their lead in the 80^th minute from Seraphides' goal. The ball was launched down the field and Appiah was on the hunt for the ball. He got to it first but was immediately met by two Wildcat defenders. Seraphides was the trailing attacker and ran to the left of Appiah who passed the ball. Seraphides was right in front of goal and smashed the ball into the net with confidence to push the lead to 2-0.

Bethel did get a goal of their own in the final three minutes, just the fourth goal all season UC has conceded. The Wildcats crossed the ball from the left side of the field and their attacker headed it passed Vazquez to bring the game within one.

BU almost netted another one in the final 10 seconds of the match shooting from the right side, but Vazquez had a great read on the ball to secure the 2-1 win.

UC has now started MSC play 2-0 for the first time since 2019 and for the first time this season Cumberlands was outshot by an opponent with Bethel having twice as many shots, firing off 16.

The Patriots will return home for their next match, where they will take on Georgetown on Wednesday, Septemeber 27 for a 7PM ET kick-off.

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