Williamsburg, Ky - The University of the Cumberlands #2 Men's Soccer team came up short in their final non-conference tune-up, falling 4-2 at home to West Virginia University Institute of Technology on Wednesday afternoon. The setback moves UC to 3-2-2 overall heading into Mid-South Conference play. 

The Patriots struck first midway through the opening half. In the 33rd minute, Ryota Nakamura finished off a feed from Antonis Seraphides to put Cumberlands ahead 1-0. WVU Tech answered just seven minutes later, fighting goalkeeper Javiero Izquierdo Cuervo 1v1 for the equalizer to send the match into halftime level at 1-1. 

WVU Tech seized control early in the second half, rallying in the 60th minute with a long ball to give the Golden Bears the lead, before an own goal seven minutes later doubled the advantage. The visitors extended the margin in the 80th minute when Gonzalo Sabeh netted his first of the season to make it 4-1. 

UC continued to push forward and was rewarded in the closing minutes. After WVU Tech was shown a red card, Samuel Dolobaipu calmly converted from the penalty spot in the 89th minute to cut the deficit to 4-2. That proved to be the final margin as the Golden Bears closed out the win. 

The Patriots finished the day with 11 shots, including six on goal, while WVU Tech registered 13 shots with seven on target. Izquierdo recorded three saves for UC in the match. 

Cumberlands now turns its attention to conference play, opening Mid-South action on the road at Cumberland University (Tenn.) this Saturday, September 20, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in Lebanon, Tenn. 

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