Huntington, IN – An exciting first half saw the #24 Patriots score two goals to secure a 2-1 victory over the Huntington Foresters on Wednesday evening. Cumberlands marks their first win of the season, seeing them sit at a 1-0-0 record.
Collectively, UC had 13 shots with six being on frame. Salvador Martinez led the way with four shots, two on frame, one goal, and one assist. Rodrigo Riveros followed with one shot, one on frame, and a goal of his own. Shuma Sasaki followed with three shots and two on frame.
In the first half, the Pats were aggressive on offense with Mario Fernandez Garcia taking the first shot of the game in the 10'. Quickly after, a foul from the Foresters set Salvador Martinez up with a Penalty Kick in the 12th minute. Martinez quickly delivers the first goal of the season with a strike into the back of the net, elevating the Pats to a 1-0 lead.
UC continued their offensive attack, seeing a high shot from Fabio Galeano in the 12'. Both teams were evenly matched until the Foresters recorded their first shot on frame in the 31st minute of play. In a quick turn of events, the Patriots pushed the ball up the field seeing Martinez pass across the box to Riveros. Rivero quickly sent the shot off the post and into the back of the goal, giving Cumberlands a 2-0 advantage over the Foresters.
In the 38th minute, the Foresters worked quickly to record their lone goal of the day and cut the deficit, 2-1. The Patriots entered the half with the advantage after recording seven shots in the first half.
In the second half, the Foresters were aggressive, and the Patriots found themselves fighting on defense. The Foresters recorded a corner kick in the 50', but were held scoreless.
In the 63rd minute, a yellow card for the Foresters set Emil Skursch up for a free kick. Skursch struck the ball, but the Foresters' goalie recorded the save. The Pats continued to work on offense, seeing Martinez with another shot on frame in the 76' followed by back-to-back shots that hit the crossbar from Bart-Jan Braams and Martinez.
In the final minutes of play, the Foresters were desperate to even the score and were attacking on the offensive half of the field. However, a strong Patriots defense and a pair of saves from Javier Izquierdo Cuervo held them at bay for the 2-1 victory.
UC will be back in action just three days time, returning to the UC Soccer/Lacross Complex to face Baker University in their first home match of the season. The game is set to kick off at 10:00 a.m. (EST) on Saturday, August 24 in Williamsburg, KY.
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