Williamsburg, KY – The University of the Cumberlands men's soccer team scored twice in the final five minutes but came up short against #7 University of Rio Grande, falling 3-2 Tuesday afternoon at the UC Soccer Complex. With the loss, the Patriots move to 6-5-4 on the season.
Rio Grande applied pressure early, earning three corner kicks in the opening 12 minutes before breaking through in the 12' to take a 1-0 advantage. Cumberlands looked for an equalizer as Conor McVeigh forced a save in the 17' before Nico Romero stepped up for a penalty kick in the 26', but his attempt was stopped by the Rio Grande goalkeeper.
The Patriots continued to push forward as Dunsting Cohen Jr. and Luca Piazza each put shots on frame, while McVeigh added another opportunity in the 39'. UC earned a corner late in the half before Zabir Taylor forced another save in the 44'. Rio Grande responded with a goal moments later to double its advantage and take a 2-0 lead into halftime.
Cumberlands came out of the break looking to cut into the deficit. Piazza generated a strong attacking sequence near the hour mark, putting back-to-back shots on frame in the 61' before Romero followed with a header that went wide. The Patriots continued to apply pressure, earning four corner kicks over the opening 19 minutes of the second half.
UC nearly broke through in the 75' when Yota Ishikawa forced another save, but Rio Grande converted a penalty kick moments later to extend its lead to 3-0.
The Patriots continued to battle in the closing minutes. In the 86', Jesus Macaya and Vitor Mendonca combined to set up Alejo Zambrano, who found the back of the net for his first goal of the season to cut the deficit to 3-1. Cumberlands struck again in the 89' as Piazza netted his third goal of the season to bring UC within one. Despite the late rally, Rio Grande held on for the 3-2 final.
Cumberlands outshot Rio Grande 17-10, including an 11-7 advantage in shots on goal, while the Red Storm held a 6-5 edge in corner kicks. Zachary Dean finished with four saves for the Patriots.
Cumberlands closes out the regular season Saturday, October 24, when the Patriots travel to Henderson, TN to face Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.). Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.
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