Wichita, KS – The Patriots Men' Soccer team concluded their historic 2024 postseason run in the NAIA National Championship Semifinal game against the No. 1 ranked Dalton State College Roadrunners. The Roadrunners bested the Patriots 4-0, leaving them to conclude their season 15-3-3.
Collectively, UC recorded eight shots with five shots on goal. Mario Fernandez Garcia and Fabio Galeano Bazan led the way with two shots and two on frame. Gerard Liao tallied one shot with one on frame as well.
In the first half, the Pats were the first to record a shot on goal in the fifth minute of play off the boot of Fernandez Garcia. The Roadrunners quickly took to the offensive third of the pitch in the '11, netting their first goal for a 1-0 lead.
In the 20th minute, UC worked up field again and saw a shot on frame off the boot of Liao. A quick break from the Roadrunners led them to score their second goal in the '20 (2-0).
The Patriots worked tirelessly on defense, seeing goalkeeper Javiero Izquierdo Cuervo mark two saves in a four-minute span. UC's backline also blocked a pair of shots to keep the Roadrunners at bay.
Substitutions for Cumberlands saw fresh legs on the pitch, seeing Adrian Choco take his first shot of the day but was blocked. Galeano Bazan followed suit with a shot on frame along with Rodrigo Riveros off the post in the '36. Even with a handful of opportunities, UC went into the half trailing 2-0.
In the second half, the Roadrunners quickly added to their lead with their third goal of the afternoon in the 49th minute of play.
In the '51, a corner kick from Shuma Sasaki presented UC with another opportunity to score, but they were unable to capitalize. The Roadrunners took advantage and netted their fourth and final goal of the match, leaving Cumberlands to fall 4-0.
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