ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — #12 seeded Cumberlands men's soccer battled through 110 scoreless minutes before delivering a composed 4–1 penalty-kick victory over Warner Pacific, securing a spot in the NAIA Semifinals on Thursday afternoon at the Orange Beach Sportsplex. The match, played in heavy rain and winds, featured long stretches of Patriot control and a standout effort from seinor goalkeeper Javiero Izquierdo Cuervo.  

Cumberlands set the tone from the outset, carrying possession and creating steady chances in the attacking third. Nico Protto fired the first look of the match in the 11th minute, and Mario Fernandez followed with multiple threatening efforts, including shots in the 14th and 17th minutes as UC pressed high. The Patriots earned their first corner in the 24th minute, sparking a sequence of blocked attempts as Fernandez and the midfield continued probing the Warner back line.  

Warner Pacific managed only two first-half shots, both handled calmly by Izquierdo, including a firm strike in the 21st minute that he caught cleanly. Despite controlling the pace and territory, Cumberlands entered halftime still deadlocked at 0–0.  

The Patriots maintained their rhythm after the break, with Fernandez again forcing a save in the 52nd minute. Forward Samuel Dolobaipu nearly broke the tie moments later when he turned into space and fired wide from the edge of the box. Cumberlands pushed numbers forward late, and defender Bruno Garcia nearly delivered the breakthrough in the 83rd minute with a powerful header off a corner, but Warner's keeper reacted well to deflect it away. 

Both teams tightened defensively as regulation expired, and the match carried into overtime. The intensity heightened, with yellow cards issued on both sides and tackles becoming increasingly physical. UC continued to generate the better chances, highlighted by Fernandez driving two shots on frame in the second overtime, but Warner Pacidic's goalkeeper stood tall to send the match to penalties. 

Cumberlands delivered a poised, clinical performance from the spot for the second match in a row. Leandro Nico Romero Protto opened the scoring, followed by confident finishes from Emil Skursch and Adrian Choco. Meanwhile, Warner's opening attempt sailed off target, and Izquierdo denied their third effort. With UC leading 3–1, Ryota Nakamura stepped up and buried the Patriots' fourth straight conversion (nineth in the tournament), sealing the 4–1 shootout win and sending Cumberlands to the national semifinals. 

With the victory, Cumberlands advances to face Grand View (Iowa) on Saturday, December 6 at 1:00 p.m. CT with a berth in the NAIA National Championship on the line. 

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