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MSoc Takes Down #1 Bethel
1
Bethel (IN) BETHEL ( (5-2-1, 0-0-0)
2
Winner Cumberlands (KY) CUMBERLA (3-1-2, 0-0-0)
Bethel (IN) BETHEL (
(5-2-1, 0-0-0)
1
Final
2
Cumberlands (KY) CUMBERLA
(3-1-2, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Bethel (IN) BETHEL ( 1 0 1
Cumberlands (KY) CUMBERLA 0 2 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Briley Lawson

Fernandez Brace Lifts Pats Over #1 Bethel

Williamsburg, KY – The Patriots recorded their third consecutive win of the 2023 season with an aggressive second half, taking down #1 Bethel University 2-1 Saturday night at the UC Soccer Complex. This marks the first time the Pats have defeated a #1 ranked team and their first win over a NAIA top-10 team since April 16, 2021 against #8 Bethel University (2-1) and April 21, 2021 against #10 Indiana Tech (2-0). Cumberlands is now 3-1-2 on the year.

Mario Fernandez led all scorers, netting a brace with two shots and two on frame while Jesus Macaya recorded two shots and two on frame. Shuma Sasaki and Salvador Martinez followed with one shot apiece.

The Patriots outshot the Pilots four to three in the first half. Shuma Sasaki saw their first shot in the first seven minutes of play, followed by a blocked shot from Karl Emil-Andersen in the 10th minute.
In the 33' a foul on UC set the Pilots up for a free kick, leading to their lone goal of the evening and an early 1-0 lead over the Patriots heading into the half.

UC entered the second half on the defensive end, until a foul on Bethel gave the Pats possession. A shot on frame from Macaya translated to a corner kick from Shuma Sasaki. A few minutes later, a pass across the box from Macaya saw Fernandez with his second goal of the 2023 season to tie the score 1-1.

In the 61', a cross into the box from Shuma Sasaki gave Fernandez the game-winning goal and his first multi-goal game of his career.



The Pilots had three more shots on frame, but all three were saved by Brandon Diaz. Back-to-back saves from Diaz midway through the second half pivoted the momentum to secure the Pats victory.

UC will be back in action in just four days time, remaining in the UC Lacrosse/Soccer Complex. The game against #11 Georgia Gwinnett College is set to kick off at 7:00 PM ET on Wednesday, September 20 in Williamsburg, KY.

For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics. Please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. Follow us on Twitter- @UC_Patriots and @UCPatsGameday, Instagram- @UCPatriots, TikTok- @UCPatriots, Youtube- Cumberlands Patriots, and Facebook by searching University of the Cumberlands Athletics.
 
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