WILLIAMSBURG, Ky.-- Cumberland avenges a regular season loss to No. 3 Cumberlands with a 2-0 victory on the road to claim the 2023 Mid-South Conference Tournament Championship. 

Cumberland claimed their first Mid-South Conference title since 2012 when they defeated No. 3 Lindsey Wilson 2-1. 

Winning a free kick in the attacking third of the field, Grace Morris was appointed to take the free kick and she made no mistake with her delivery. Seeing the goalkeeper off of her line, she sent a line drive at the goal and her effort was narrowly saved off of the crossbar.

Her luck quickly turned though, as the following Marie Bathe corner kick was swiftly met by Morris. With all the momentum shifting to Cumberland, the Phoenix found themselves with another opportunity on goal just minutes later.

Brenna Swiger received a pass inside the box and forced the Patriots defender to bring her down inside the box. Sadly for the Phoenix, Mari Sagstad's attempt was met in the bottom right corner by Georgia Martell.

Although the energy began to bounce back and forth between the teams, CU had plans on widening their lead before the break, with or without the penalty kick. Having several chances in their previous game but struggling to convert on them, Gabby Jones stepped up when the Phoenix needed her and found a breakaway before the half was over.

Jones is known for her speed and when the Patriots chose not to mark her, she punished them. Taking the ball all the way from the midfield to the goal, she sent her shot past the keeper and doubled the Phoenix lead before the break, 2-0. 

Early in the second half, Cumberlands had an early opportunity at the goal as a free kick found the head of Rita Aguye, but Graziano stepped up and made the save. 

The Patriots started feeling the pressure and firing shots and Graziano and the defense stood back and stood strong. Two more headers in the next five minutes were stopped by Graziano. 

The Patriots fired 20 shots in the game and 16 in the second half, but only had a few really good opportunities with seven on goal. Cumberland met every challenge and held off the barrage to get the shutout, their 13th of the season. 

Cumberland posted 12 shots as they sat back and defended much of the second half, but put more quality shots on goal than the Patriots with eight. 

Sabrina Graziano played phenomenally in net posting seven saves to get the win in goal. 

With the win, the Phoenix earned an Automatic Bid to the NAIA National Championships. The field and host sites will be announced on Monday by the NAIA. This will be Cumberland's eighth trip to the NAIA National Tournament and fifth-consecutive trip. This is just their second automatic bid.