Men's Soccer 11/21/2025 4:46:00 PM

Men's Soccer Hosting Second Round of National Tournament Against Carroll (Mont.)

LEBANON, Tenn. - - Tomorrow afternoon the Cumberland men's soccer team will take on Carroll College, the winner of the Thursday opening round.

The Phoenix have been an attacking juggernaut all season long and from the very beginning, they looked like a side that was destined for post-season play. Opening their season with a 4-0 thumping of then No. 6 ranked Mobile, the Phoenix continued to pour in goals, scoring three or more goals in seven of the team's first eight games.

In their 19 games played so far this season, Cumberland have played eight games against teams that have now qualified for the National Championship, grabbing a record of 4-2-2 in those games. The Phoenix's premier win of the season came against Lindsey Wilson on October 1st, taking down the then No. 2 ranked Blue Raiders by a score of 3-2, seeing goals from Luis Cerejo, Philipp Schmidtke, and Miquel Gelabert.

That aforementioned trio has been the bloodline of the fruitful Phoenix attack, as both Schmidtke, who totaled 16 goals and 11 assists, and Gelbaert were named to the Mid-South Conference First-Team, as well as being named Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, respectively. Named to the MSC Second-Team also was Cerejo and Mark Donaldson.

Schmidtke, a junior forward from Gifhorn, Germany, continues to build upon what has truly been a tremendous season with the MSC's top individual honor, being named as Cumberland's first ever Player of the Year. The German forward chipped in at least two goal contributions in nine different games this season, highlighted by his performance in the Phoenix's win over St. Thomas where Schmidtke scored one and assisted three.

Both Cerejo and Gelabert chipped in with a double-double of goals and assists, as Cerejo scored 10 and assisted 15, while Gelabert scored 13 and assisted 10. Also adding to that offensive prowess, Pau Ortega added 11 goals and 5 assists, while Harold Perea nabbed 12 goal contributions.

Cumberland bring a 13-3-3 record into the matchup, having most recently fallen in the Mid-South Conference Championship to Bethel (Tenn.), who grabbed the No. 1 seed in the National Tournament. Before that, the Phoenix took down the No. 6 ranked University of the Cumberlands Patriots in the MSC Semifinals.

This will be the first time the Phoenix have ever faced off against the Montana side.

Shifting gears to Carroll, the Fighting Saints also nabbed a 13-3-3 record before then taking down the Wiley Wildcats on Thursday night, moving to 14-3-3.

Going into post-season action, the Fighting Saints were led by a pair of defenders, Justus Herrmann and Alan Gutierrez, who both garnered First Team All-Conference honors, helping anchor a Carroll defense that was stifling all season long - allowing just nine total goals against in the regular season.

Four Men earned Second Team All-CCC Honors. Juan Muniz Navarrete grabbed his third straight postseason honor after another outstanding season in net, finishing the year with nine shutouts and an 80.4 percent save percentage. A pair of forwards, Felix Billard and Alfie Snow, combined for 15 goals and 34 total points, and earned their second-straight postseason recognition, and captain Sam Loughton rounded out the Second Team selections after a 12-point season in the middle of the Carroll attack.

Tomorrow afternoon's kickoff is set for 12 PM at Lindsey Donnell Stadium, though if weather becomes a factor there is a possibility of the game's venue being moved. Stay tuned for updates on GoCumberlandAthletics.com and on all Cumberland Athletics socials.

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