Columbia, KY – The second-seeded, tenth-ranked Patriots Men's Soccer team claimed the 2024 Mid-South Conference Championship Tournament title after beating the first-seeded, 25th-ranked Blue Raiders of Lindsey Wilson College in penalty kicks Wednesday afternoon. The Pats claim the title for the first time since 2020 when they defeated Bethel University (TN), 2-1.
Collectively, UC tallied 16 shots with eight being on frame. Carles Diez Herrero led the way with the lone goal on the evening, marking one shot with one on frame. Mario Fernandez Garcia followed with four shots, two being on frame while Shuma Sasaki marked three shots with two on frame.
In the first half, the Blue Raiders were aggressive from the start and netted a goal in the first two minutes of play. After falling behind 1-0 early, the Patriots had to make up for lost time. In the '10, a corner kick off the boot of Emil Skursch led Gerard Liao to knock a header just high of the goal. Sasaki followed in the 11th minute, with the Pats first shot on frame followed by a blocked shot off the boot of Fernandez Garcia.
Both teams were evenly matched and refused to back down until the Patriots sparked an offensive run in the 35th minute. Another corner kick from Skursch led to Fernandez Garcia marking another blocked shot followed by a shot on frame. In the 41st minute, a corner kick from Fernadez Garcia led to Skursch sending a pass across the box for Diez Herrero to net the header, tying the game at 1-1.
A shot on frame from Skursch sent the Patriots into the half tied 1-1 with the Blue Raiders.
In the second half, Cumberlands marked a single shot and was forced to defend. The Blue Raiders recorded nine shots during the second half, but Javiero Izquierdo Cuervo marked an incredible save along with multiple blocked shots from the Pats back line to hold the Blue Raiders scoreless in the second half.
After completing the full-time, the Patriots and Blue Raiders sat at a 1-1 draw to move into overtime. During the first overtime, the Blue Raiders took five shots while Izquierdo Cuervo marked two saves to remain at a 1-1 draw. Advancing into the second overtime, the Patriots recorded two shots off the boots of Fernandez Garcia and Sasaki but were unable to net the golden goal.
Entering penalty kicks, UC was first to shoot and sent Martinez up. Martinez successfully made his PK, sending the Blue Raiders up. Izquierdo Cuervo stopped the Blue Raiders from scoring their first PK, giving Cumberlands the 1-0 advantage.
The second PK came off the boot of Emil Skursch, who made his shot and jumped UC to a 2-0 advantage. The Blue Raiders chipped at the deficit by making their second PK, 2-1. The third Patriot to shoot their PK was Rodrigo Riveros, who made his PK and saw UC rise to a 3-1 advantage.
With a 3-1 advantage, Izquierdo Cuervo knocked away the third PK from the Blue Raiders. With a 3-1 advantage, the Blue Raiders were able to tack on another PK but Fabio Galeano Bazan came up clutch to secure the 2024 MSC Tournament Title after netting his PK for the 4-2 result.
The Patriots have secured their berth to the NAIA Opening Round. Play will begin on November 21 – November 23. Cumberlands will find out where they are going during the NAIA Selection Show on Saturday, November 16 at 3:00 p.m. (EST).
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