Williamsburg, KY – The 5th-seeded Patriots secure their spot in the NAIA National Tournament Final Site with a 2-1 overtime victory against the University of Rio Grande Red Storm. This is the second time the Patriots have reached the Final Site and the first time since 2020.
Collectively, UC tallied nine shots with five shots on frame. Rodrigo Riveros led the way with four shots, three on frame, and the game winning goal. Bruno Marques followed with one shot, one on frame, and one goal while Shuma Sasaki marked three shots with one on frame.
In the first half, Cumberlands quickly took to the offensive third of the pitch with a corner kick from Emil Skursch and a blocked shot from Riveros in the first two minutes of play. Both teams were evenly matched on the pitch until Sasaki marked a shot that was just high in the 14th minute.
Rio Grande took their chances on the offensive third of the pitch, tallying two consecutive shots that were unsuccessful courtesy of a strong back line from the Pats. In the 40th minute, Riveros marked Cumberlands' first shot on frame followed by another corner kick from Skursch but was unable to capture the early lead.
The Red Storm attacked quickly in the '44, seeing Javiero Izquierdo Cuervo with his first save of the match but was ultimately not enough as Rio Grande collected the first goal. UC entered the half trailing, 1-0.
With their season on the line, the Pats entered the second half with an aggressive offense. In the '46, Carles Diez Herrero passed the ball across the box to Marques who netted the equalizer, 1-1.
UC continued to attack on the offensive third of the pitch but were unable to muster another goal. For the remainder of the second half, Cumberlands saw shots on frame from Sasaki and Riveros while Tjerk Meijs and Sasaki marked shots of their own. At the conclusion of regulation, the Red Storm and Patriots were tied 1-1.
Entering the first overtime, the Patriots took the ball onto the offensive third with no hesitation. In less than a minute, Sasaki sent a pass across the box to Riveros who flicked the ball backwards into the back right of the net to secure the 2-1 victory and extend the Patriots season!
The Patriots will travel to Wichita, Kansas to compete in the NAIA National Championship at Scheels Stryker Sports Complex. The Championship Tournament is set for December 2 – December 9 where UC will face the Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders in the first match.
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