Rio Grande, OH – The #4 University of the Cumberlands men's soccer team scored twice while playing a man down in the final six minutes, with Vinicius Serafim and Vitor Mendonca each netting their first goals as Patriots, to rally past #22 Grace College 2-1 Thursday evening.
Cumberlands controlled the early attacking pressure as Serafim had a shot blocked in the 6' before Mendonca sent an attempt high a minute later. The Patriots continued to push forward, earning back-to-back corner kicks in the 12' and 13'. Mendonca had another attempt blocked following the first corner as UC looked for the opening goal.
The Patriots created another strong sequence in the 28' as Jesus Macaya had a shot blocked before Dunsting Cohen Jr. put a header on frame, forcing a save from the Grace goalkeeper. The Lancers generated a late opportunity in the 45', but Martin Gomez was there for the save to send the match into halftime scoreless.
UC came out of the break on the attack as Serafim put a shot on frame in the 46'. The Patriots continued to create chances with a corner in the 54' before Luca Piazza had an effort blocked in the 57'. The match remained scoreless as both sides battled for possession.
The match remained scoreless into the final 20 minutes before Cumberlands was reduced to 10 men in the 74'. Despite playing a man down, the Patriots continued to press as Serafim had a shot blocked in the 79' before UC earned another corner moments later. Gomez answered at the other end with a save in the 80' to keep the match level.
Grace broke through in the 83' following a corner kick to take a 1-0 advantage. The Patriots responded almost immediately despite playing with 10 men. In the 85', Cohen Jr. set up Serafim, who found the back of the net for his first goal as a Patriot to even the match at 1-1. Cohen Jr. nearly put UC ahead a minute later, but his attempt was blocked.
Cumberlands completed the shorthanded comeback in the 88' as Piazza found Mendonca, who finished the opportunity for his first goal as a Patriot to give UC a 2-1 lead. The Patriots held on over the closing minutes to secure the victory.
Cumberlands outshot Grace 12-6, including a 4-3 edge in shots on goal, while also holding a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks. Gomez made two saves for the Patriots in the win.
Cumberlands remains in Rio Grande, OH for its next match as the Patriots take on #13 Bethel University (Ind.).
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