Henderson, TN – The University of the Cumberlands men's soccer team closed out the regular season with a 2-1 loss to Freed-Hardeman University Saturday afternoon at Riley Soccer Complex. With the loss, the Patriots finish the regular season at 6-6-4 overall and 2-2-2 in Mid-South Conference play.
Cumberlands wasted little time getting on the board as Jannes Kühn forced a save in the 3' before the Patriots earned a corner moments later. In the 5', Kühn and Jesus Macaya combined to set up Nico Romero, who found the back of the net for his team-leading 10th goal of the season to give UC a 1-0 advantage.
Freed-Hardeman responded in the 25', converting a penalty kick to level the match at 1-1. The Patriots continued to apply pressure, earning three consecutive corner kicks over the next five minutes. Alejo Zambrano forced a save in the 41', while Macaya added another chance before halftime as the teams went into the break tied.
UC came out of the break looking to regain the lead as Romero put a header on frame in the 55' before Samuel Dolobaipu sent an attempt high. Cumberlands continued to push forward, earning a pair of corners before Vinicius Serafim forced another save in the 62'.
The Lions broke through in the 65' as a cross into the box found a sliding finish to give Freed-Hardeman a 2-1 advantage. Cumberlands looked for an immediate response as Luciano Viejo and Dolobaipu each generated chances in the 71'. Dolobaipu added two more attempts over the next five minutes, but neither found the target.
The Patriots continued to search for the equalizer in the closing minutes as Macaya sent an attempt wide in the 85' before forcing a save in the 90'. Despite the late pressure, Freed-Hardeman held on for the 2-1 final.
Cumberlands outshot Freed-Hardeman 13-5, including a 6-3 advantage in shots on goal, while also holding an 8-2 edge in corner kicks. Martin Gomez finished with one save for the Patriots.
Cumberlands now turns its attention to postseason play as the higher seed in the Mid-South Conference Tournament Quarterfinals. The Patriots will host Freed-Hardeman University on Wednesday, October 28, at the UC Lacrosse/Soccer Complex.
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