Marietta, GA – The Patriots recorded their first win of the 2023 season with a dominating second half, taking down #23 Life University 2-1 Friday night. This also marks the first defeat of the season for the Eagles, who had taken down #9 Keiser University and tied (RV) Reinhardt University earlier this season. Cumberlands is now 1-1-2 on the year.
Mario Fernandez led all scorers, netting one with three shots and two on frame while Rodrigo Riveros netted the game-winning goal. Jesus Macaya followed with four shots, two on frame and Shuma Sasaki collected one assist with three shots, two on frame.
The Patriots were aggressive in the first half, outshooting the Eagles nine to three. The 29th minute saw Life score their lone goal of the evening. UC was persistent with back-to-back shots on frame from Macaya and Sasaki. In the 37th minute, a corner kick from Sasaki set Karl-Emil Andersen for a header that was just wide to send the Pats into the half trailing 0-1.
The Patriots entered the second half on the defensive end, until a foul on Life set the stage for Fernandez to score his first goal of the 2023 season with a penalty kick goal, evening the playing field at 1-1.
The score remained that way until the 73' when a pass across the box from Sasaki assisted Riveros to take the lead and collect his first goal of the 2023 season.
The Eagles had three more shots on goal, but all three were saved by Brandon Diaz to keep the Eagles at bay for the 2-1 final as UC earned its first win of the 2023 season.
UC will be back in action in just four days time, returning to the UC Lacrosse/Soccer Complex. The game against Huntington is set to kick off at 6:00 PM ET on Tuesday, September 5 in Williamsburg, KY.
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