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University of the Cumberlands Athletics

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MSOC
0
Xavier XAVIER (13-5-2, 7-3-1)
1
Winner Cumberlands (KY) CUMBERLA (9-5-4, 5-1)
Xavier XAVIER
(13-5-2, 7-3-1)
0
Final
1
Cumberlands (KY) CUMBERLA
(9-5-4, 5-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Xavier XAVIER 0 0 0
Cumberlands (KY) CUMBERLA 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Mia Reid

Patriots Punch Ticket to Orange Beach with Shutout Win over Xavier

Williamsburg, KY – The 12th-seeded University of the Cumberlands men's soccer team secured its place among the nation's elite, defeating Xavier 1-0 Saturday afternoon in the NAIA Second Round at the UC Soccer Complex. With the win, the Patriots advance to the NAIA Final Site in Orange Beach, Alabama, set for December 1–8. 

Cumberlands came out on the front foot from the opening whistle, controlling possession and peppering the Xavier defense early. The Patriots generated four shots in the first 15 minutes, with sophomore forward Leandro Nico Romero Protto and senior Mario Fernandez Garcia both testing the Xavier keeper, Breno Zanolla, who was forced into multiple early saves. 

UC finally broke through in the 31st minute as graduate student Ryota Nakamura found the back of the net for his second goal of the season. The play developed off a well-worked buildup through the midfield, with senior Tjerk Meijs threading a pass into space that Nakamura calmly finished to give the Patriots a 1-0 lead. 

Cumberlands maintained the pressure throughout the first half, outshooting Xavier 11-0 and earning a pair of corners while the defense limited the visitors to a single attacking opportunity, a corner just before halftime. 

In the second half, UC continued to dictate the pace of play and control possesion. Romero and Fernandez each produced quality chances, but Zanolla's sharp goalkeeping kept Xavier within striking distance. The Patriots defense, anchored by Anthony Carriel Jaramillo,  Bruno Garcia, and Javiero Izquierdo Garcia was impenetrable, not allowing a single shot over 90 minutes. 

Zabir Taylor and Antonis Seraphides provided late energy off the bench as UC managed the final minutes to preserve the clean sheet. Goalkeeper Javiero Izquierdo earned the shutout without facing a shot, marking Cumberlands' 11th defensive shutout of the year. 

The Patriots outshot Xavier 17-0 (8-0 on goal) and held a 4-5 margin in corner kicks. 

With the victory, Cumberlands improves to 18-2-1 on the season and advances to the NAIA Final Site in Orange Beach, Alabama, for the second consecutive season. 

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 

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