LEBANON, Tenn. -- Newly ranked No. 1 Cumberland men's soccer returns to Lindsey Donnell Stadium-Kirk Field Friday afternoon for a highly anticipated Mid-South Conference matchup against No. 18 Lindsey Wilson.

The Phoenix enter the contest unbeaten at 9-0-2 overall and 3-0 in Mid-South Conference play after earning a 4-2 road victory over then No. 6 Georgia Gwinnett on Tuesday. Cumberland took a 2-0 lead into halftime before the Grizzlies battled back to level the match in the second half. The Phoenix responded with two late goals from David Barbakadze and Nicolas Sanchez to secure the victory and remain unbeaten on the season.

Cumberland has continued to establish itself as one of the nation's most dangerous offensive teams, entering Friday's matchup with 38 goals through 11 matches. The Phoenix are averaging 3.45 goals per game while recording 152 shots and 85 shots on goal this season.

Leading the way offensively is freshman forward David Barbakadze, who has already recorded 10 goals and three assists for 23 points. Luis Cerejo follows closely with eight goals and six assists for 22 points, while Wesley Mendoza has contributed five goals and three assists for 13 points. 

The Phoenix have also performed strongly defensively with goalkeeper Pau Gelabert in goal. Gelabert has started all 11 matches, recording 27 saves with a 1.28 goals-against average and a .675 save percentage. Cumberland has limited opponents to 13 goals on the season and has recorded three shutouts.

Standing in Cumberland's way is a No. 18 Lindsey Wilson squad that enters Friday with a 5-4-0 overall record and a 2-1 mark in conference play. Lindsey Wilson enters the matchup having won two of its last three matches, including a 3-2 victory over then No. 23 Cumberlands on Sept. 26. The Blue Raiders rallied to defeat the Patriots after Cumberlands erased a two-goal deficit, with Milan Diao converting a penalty kick less than a minute after the Patriots tied the match.

Offensively, the Blue Raiders are led by Juliano Manfro, who has three goals and four assists for 10 points. Renny Caicedo has also found the back of the net three times, while Denilson Macon has added one goal and four assists. As a team, Lindsey Wilson has scored 16 goals this season while conceding 14.

In goal, Zahir Garcia has started all nine matches for the Blue Raiders. Garcia has recorded 55 saves with a .797 save percentage and two shutouts this season.

Lindsey Wilson was picked to finish second in the conference's preseason poll, while Cumberland was selected fourth. Hence, setting up a highly anticipated matchup between the two teams, as they are the only two Mid-South Conference teams to appear in the First National Selection Committee Men's Soccer Poll.

The Blue Raiders will be looking to carry their momentum from their victory over Cumberlands into Lebanon, while the Phoenix enter the contest looking to extend their unbeaten start and remain perfect in Mid-South Conference play.

Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. CT Friday at Lindsey Donnell Stadium-Kirk Field. All links for live coverage can be found on GoCumberlandAthletics.com.