Top-Seeded Phoenix Host Campbellsville in MSC Semifinals

LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland women's soccer will host the Mid-South Conference Semifinals at Lindsey Donnell Stadium–Kirk Field after earning the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye following a share of the MSC regular season title. The Phoenix will face fourth-seeded Campbellsville on Wednesday, November 5, in a rematch of their regular season finale.

Cumberland (12-3-1, 5-0-1 MSC) enters the semifinals as one of the nation's most explosive offenses, ranking 17th in the NAIA in goals scored (64) and averaging 4.1 goals per match. Kadisha Martina leads the Mid-South Conference in points this season with 10 goals and 10 assists, Victoria Collins has had a breakout freshman season scoring 11 goals with two assists, and Seika Stull has scored five goals and added a conference-high 16 assists.

In goal, Celia Martin has anchored the defense with 46 saves and five clean sheets, holding a 1.23 goals-against average.

Campbellsville (9-8, 3-3 MSC) arrives after a 3-1 home victory over Bethel in the quarterfinals. Freshman Alejandra Rocha Peni led the way with two goals, including the match-clincher in the 89th minute, while Amelie Matheis added another score and goalkeeper Millie Shakespeare recorded eight saves.

The Tigers are led offensively by Rocha Peni's seven goals and 17 points on the year, followed by Fiona Jolly and Amelie Matheis with five goals apiece. Shakespeare has been a mainstay between the posts, making 57 saves with a .713 save percentage.

When these two sides met on October 24 in Campbellsville, Cumberland dominated from the opening whistle in a 6-2 win. The Phoenix exploded for four first-half goals and outshot the Tigers 24–8. Stull recorded two goals and two assists, Martina tallied four assists, and Collins, Itziar Garcia, Olga Wallemo, and Aoi Kanno each found the back of the net in the victory.

The two sides met last year in the Mid-South Conference tournament semifinals where the Phoenix and Tigers played to a 0-0 draw, but Cumberland advanced to the Mid-South Conference Finals with a 5-4 win in the shootout. Celia Martin made a save to edge out the Tigers in PK's.

Cumberland carries a 16-6-4 all-time record against Campbellsville. The two sides have been level in the last 10 meetings though at 4-4-2.

The Phoenix will look to punch their ticket to the championship match as they aim for their third-straight appearance in the conference finals.

2-seed Lindsey Wilson will take on 3-seed Cumberlands in the other conference semifinals match. That will also take place tomorrow in Columbia at 6:00 p.m. central time.

All postseason matches will be aired on the Urban Edge Network. Download the mobile app or the app on any roku tv for the best viewing experience.

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Players Mentioned

#13 Itziar Garcia: D; 5' 5"; Senior

#10 Seika Stull: MF; 4' 11"; Senior

#00 Celia Martin: GK; 5' 10"; Senior

#15 Kadisha Martina: F; 5' 6"; Graduate Student

#9 Victoria Collins: F; 5' 8"; Freshman

#8 Aoi Kanno: MF; 5' 5"; Junior

#7 Olga Wallemo: MF; 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#13 Itziar Garcia
: 5' 5"; Senior
: D

#10 Seika Stull
: 4' 11"; Senior
: MF

#00 Celia Martin
: 5' 10"; Senior
: GK

#15 Kadisha Martina
: 5' 6"; Graduate Student
: F

#9 Victoria Collins
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: F

#8 Aoi Kanno
: 5' 5"; Junior
: MF

#7 Olga Wallemo
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: MF