LEBANON, Tenn. – The No. 13 Cumberland Phoenix finish their homestand and begin their conference play with a top 15 matchup against the No. 4 University of the Cumberlands Patriots at Lindsey Donnell Stadium.

The Phoenix look to continue their hot streak as they have won four of their last five matchups and are still unbeaten after nine games. Cumberland's attack has led the way so far as the Phoenix rank first in the NAIA in points (95) and assists (33), and are leading the Mid-South in goals (31), average goals per game (3.88), and shot percentage (.225).

The offense is led by a four-headed monster of Philipp Schmidtke, Miquel Gelabert, Luis Cerejo, and Pau Ortega. Schmidtke is the tone setter in the middle of the field as he leads the conference in goals (9) and points (24), is fifth in assists (6), and second in shots (31). To the right of Schmidtke in the offense, Gelabert is a strong second option. The freshman is second in goals (6), assists (6), points (18) and third in shots (30) in the conference. 

In the midfield, junior Luis Cerejo leads the conference in assists (7), is tied for third in points (15) and is fourth in shots (23).  Finally, Pau Ortega has shown out from his holding midfield position where he is fourth in the conference in goals (5). The Phoenix have been awarded four straight MSC Offensive Player of the Week awards with Schmidtke earning two, and both Cerejo and Ortega adding in one of their own.

In net, senior Eric Zalaya has had an impressive season with the support of his defense in front of him. Zalaya is leading the conference in saves (24) with a .632 save percentage and is fifth in goals-against average (1.87), while Alejandro Vega and Inigo Gonzalez have both chipped in goals from set pieces.

The Patriots are coming off of a loss against West Virginia University Institute of Technology and are looking to bounce back this weekend. Junior forward Samuel Dolobaipu is leading the way with three goals, seven points, and 14 shots. The Patriots have six players who have scored goals for them this season. Senior goalkeeper Javiero Izquierdo has had a productive season in net, ranking fourth in the conference in goals against (6), goals against average (1.21), and fifth in save percentages (.684). Izquierdo won the season's first Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Week. 

The Phoenix lead the all-time series 9-8-3 with the Patriots winning the last two matchups. Cumberlands won the last matchup in the Mid-South Conference Semifinals 0-2. At Lindsey-Donnell Stadium, the Phoenix have a record of 4-2-1. 

Saturday will mark the final game in Cumberland's five game homestand where they have been 3-0-1 and look to begin conference play with a massive win. Lindsey Wilson and Georgetown have been the only conference game played this season with the No. 3 Blue Raiders defeating the Tigers 6-0.

Kickoff is set for 2:30 PM in Lebanon and fans can tune in for the live action on the Cumberland Sports Network.