LEBANON, Tenn.-- Cumberland Men's Soccer defeats Bethel in a Strong Defensive Performance. 

The Phoenix and the Wildcats both started slow with neither team having a shot on goal in the first. Both teams combined for 21 fouls in the first half alone to make this a very physical match-up for the two in state conference rivals. 

A great save by George Irons on the first shot on goal kept the game at 0-0 with 10 minutes left in the first half. The Phoenix did not record a shot on goal in the first half of play, compared to Bethel's two shots on goal. 

The Phoenix defense showed a very strong presence in the whole first half and also for the start of the second half. Seven minutes into the second half, Irons already recorded three saves to keep the Phoenix and the Wildcats tied at 0-0.

Halfway through the second half, Irons had another phenomenal save to keep Bethel scoreless and to keep the Phoenix within striking distance.

Right after the Irons save, Philipp Schmidtke went on a huge run by himself all the way down the field to find himself alone with the keeper and shot it into the right post in the 60th minute to put the Phoenix ahead 1-0 against Bethel. This was Schmidtke's eighth goal of the season. 

Following the score, Iron's had another phenomenal save while he found himself surrounded by Wildcat jerseys. Just a few plays later, the Wildcats were awarded a penalty kick and Bethel took the most of the opportunity coming out of the PK with a tied game at 1-1. 

In the 72nd minute the Phoenix quickly answered back to the penalty kick and Luis Cerejo and Rune Petersen went on a run that ended with a Petersen assist and a Cerejo goal to put the Phoenix ahead 2-1. 

The Phoenix tightened the defense after their second goal and finished the game with an outstanding five save performance by George Irons who only conceded one goal. 

Cumberland swept the day against Bethel University with the Cumberland Women's Soccer team winning 2-0 and the Men's team winning 2-1 in a very strong defensive performance by both. 

The Phoenix will be back in action at Lindsey Donnell Stadium on October 29th at 2:30 to take on the Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders.