Williamsburg, Ky. – Nico Romero netted a brace as the University of the Cumberlands men's soccer team rolled past SCAD 4-0 Monday afternoon at the UC Soccer Complex. With the win, the Patriots improve to 2-2-1 on the season.
Cumberlands controlled the attacking pressure from the opening minutes. Dunsting Cohen Jr. and Luca Piazza each had shots blocked in the 4' before Jesus Macaya rattled an attempt off the crossbar in the 5'. UC continued to push forward and broke through in the 19' when Conor McVeigh found Romero, who headed in the opportunity for his first goal of the season and a 1-0 advantage.
The Patriots kept the pressure on throughout the remainder of the half. Vinicius Serafim and Macaya added chances before Samuel Dolobaipu generated three shots over the final 16 minutes, including an effort on frame just before the break. Cumberlands carried the 1-0 lead into halftime after outshooting SCAD 10-2 in the opening period.
UC wasted little time adding to its advantage after halftime. In the 49', Cohen Jr. set up Romero, who found the back of the net for his second goal of the afternoon and his second of the season, extending the lead to 2-0.
Cumberlands continued to control the match as the Patriots created chances and held SCAD off the board. Nuemonie Blackwood came up with a defensive save in the 62' before UC added its third goal in the 70'. Vitor Mendonca found Cohen Jr., who finished for his second goal of the season to make it 3-0.
The Patriots capped the scoring in the 81' from a corner kick. Gabriel Canineu delivered the setup for Eduardo Pedroza, who found the back of the net with a header for his first goal of the season to extend the advantage to 4-0. Zachary Dean made a save late in the match as UC preserved the clean sheet.
Cumberlands outshot SCAD 20-7, including a 6-3 edge in shots on goal, while holding a 9-3 advantage in corner kicks. The Patriots recorded three saves in the shutout.
Cumberlands returns to action Saturday, September 12, when the Patriots travel across town to Barbourville, KY to face #24 Union Commonwealth University. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
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