Men's Soccer Ready for Top 15 Dual in MSC Semifinals Against the Cumberlands

LEBANON, Tenn. - - Cumberland men's soccer is back in action tonight, traveling to Kentucky for a Mid-South Conference Semifinal showdown against top-seeded University of the Cumberlands at 6 p.m. in Williamsburg.

The No. 4-seeded Phoenix earned their spot in the semifinals with a strong 2-0 win over Campbellsville on Friday night. Freshman forward Miquel Gelabert led the way with both goals, striking early in the fifth minute and again in the 33rd off assists from Luis Cerejo and Philipp Schmidtke. Cumberland controlled the match from start to finish, outshooting the Tigers 26-4 while Eric Zalaya recorded his sixth shutout of the season in goal.

The Phoenix now turn their focus to a rematch with the Patriots - one that brings plenty of motivation. Cumberlands (8-4-4) handed the Phoenix one of their two losses this season in a 5-0 result back in September in Lebanon. Since that setback, Cumberland has won all but two of its contests, tightening defensively and finding rhythm in attack behind Gelabert, Schmidtke, and Cerejo.

Zalaya and the Phoenix back line will look to continue their postseason form against a potent Patriots offense that topped the MSC regular-season standings and features multiple all-conference-caliber players.

A spot in the MSC Championship match is on the line, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. CT / 7 p.m. ET from the UC Soccer Complex in Williamsburg.

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