Williamsburg, KY – The #23 University of the Cumberlands men's soccer team opened Mid-South Conference play with a 4-0 shutout win over Georgetown College Wednesday night at the UC Soccer Complex. Nico Romero netted a brace in the win as the Patriots improve to 3-3-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
Cumberlands controlled the possession and attacking pressure from the opening minutes. Samuel Dolobaipu, Romero, Jesus Macaya, and Luca Piazza all generated chances in the opening 16 minutes, with Piazza and Romero forcing saves from the Georgetown goalkeeper. UC continued to press as Piazza added another shot on frame in the 20'.
The Patriots broke through in the 23' when Macaya set up Dolobaipu, who found the back of the net, past a diving goalkeeper, for his first goal of the season to give UC a 1-0 advantage. Cumberlands continued to control the attack throughout the remainder of the half, earning four corner kicks over the final six minutes and forcing another save in the 42'. The Patriots took the 1-0 lead into halftime while holding Georgetown without a shot.
Cumberlands wasted little time extending its advantage after the break. Romero found the back of the net in the 48' for his fourth goal of the season to make it 2-0. UC continued to apply pressure with back-to-back corner kicks before Piazza rattled a header off the crossbar in the 50'.
Romero struck again in the 55' as Piazza and Dolobaipu combined on the setup for the goal, extending the Patriots' advantage to 3-0. The brace marked Romero's second multi-goal performance of the season and brought his season total to a team-leading five goals.
UC capped the scoring in the 64' when Luciano Viejo found the back of the net for his first goal of the season, giving the Patriots a 4-0 advantage. Zachary Dean made a save in the 61' as the Cumberlands defense kept the Tigers off the board to secure the clean sheet.
Cumberlands returns to action Saturday, September 19, when the Patriots travel to Lawrenceville, Ga. to face #6 Georgia Gwinnett College. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
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