Oskaloosa, IA – In one of the most evenly defensively charged games of the season, #16 UC men's soccer team found themselves on the heartbreaking end of a 0-1 loss. The Statesmen's lone goal concluded the Patriots' run in the NAIA Tournament in the Second Round of play.
Altogether, UC had 14 shots with five being on frame. Jesus Macaya led the way with five shots, three on frame followed by Emil Skursch and Shuma Sasaki each with one shot, one on frame.
In the first three minutes of play, the Statesmen scored their lone goal with a bicycle kick after a blocked shot in the box, making the score 0-1.
In the 7', the Statesmen continued to be aggressive on offense with three shots, two on frame, but goalie Pawel Wolny kept the Statesmen at bay with two saves.
The Pats saw their first shot of the day in the 19th minute from Macaya followed by a shot on frame from Sasaki. In the 23', UC continued to be aggressive on offense with a shot from Jonas Dahl that was just wide.
Right before the half, the Patriots worked the ball up the field to see a shot on frame from Skursch but could not capitalize. UC went into the half trailing, 0-1.
In the second half, Cumberlands worked quickly seeing two blocked shots from Macaya paired with two corner kicks from Sasaki.
The Statesmen put Wolny to the test with another shot on frame but were unsuccessful. The Pats defense continued to work hard, blocking shots and holding the Statesmen to two shots in the second half.
With time dwindling down in the 87', UC attacked the offensive side of the field. A shot from Mario Fernandez was blocked, followed by a corner kick from Sasaki. Macaya was able to get a header off but was unable to capitalize leaving the Patriots to fall 0-1.
The loss ends the team's season giving them a 7-4-5 record on the season and a trip to the program's fifth straight NAIA Appearance.
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