Phoenix Head to McKenzie for Mid-South Conference Championship Against Bethel (Tenn.)

LEBANON, Tenn. - - Cumberland men's soccer will play for the Mid-South Conference Championship tomorrow, taking on Bethel University on the Wildcat's home turf.

The Phoenix punched their ticket to the final with a 2-0 upset of top-seeded Cumberlands on Wednesday, using goals from Philipp Schmidtke and Harold Perea to secure their second postseason win. Schmidtke opened the scoring in the 19th minute off a feed from Perea before Perea iced it midway through the second half on an assist from Miquel Gelabert. The defense was sharp throughout, posting its seventh shutout of the season.

It's been a decorated past week for Cumberland, headlined by Schmidtke earning MSC Player of the Year and Gelabert claiming Freshman of the Year honors. Mark Donaldson and Luis Cerejo were each named to the Second Team, giving the Phoenix four all-conference selections.

Bethel advanced to the title match with a convincing 3-0 victory over Lindsey Wilson, dominating on both ends while they created chances through their high-powered front line. The Wildcats placed seven players on the all-conference list, including First Team selections Gregory Cousins, Souleymane Balde, and Horace Avila Jr., along with Second Team honorees Juan Diego Corral, Roberto Rangel, Enock Owusu, and Prince Badu.

Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. in McKenzie, with the winner earning the MSC's automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship.

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