LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland scored twice in an 83-second span to build a two-goal halftime lead, but Lindsey Wilson rallied with three second-half goals to defeat the Phoenix, 3-2, Friday at Lindsey Donnell Stadium.
Cumberland moves to 10-3-1 overall and 3-1-0 in Mid-South Conference play, while Lindsey Wilson improves to 6-3-1 overall and 2-1-0 in league action. Cumberland remains tied for first in the league with Campbellsville with nine points.
Ruth Rodriguez and Victoria Collins scored for the Phoenix, with Abigale Alexander providing an assist. Sydney Eads finished with six saves, including five in the second half.
Lindsey Wilson held a 23-10 advantage in shots and a 9-6 edge in shots on goal. The visitors also earned six corner kicks to Cumberland's two. Rodriguez led the Phoenix with three shots, all on target, while Collins and Uxia Varela each added two attempts.
Cumberland began creating opportunities midway through the first half. Varela tested Lindsey Wilson goalkeeper Demi Serman in the 16th minute before Rodriguez and Adelyn Drane had consecutive attempts turned away in the 29th minute.
Rodriguez broke through at the 31-minute mark, firing a goal from a free kick about to put Cumberland ahead. Alexander entered following the goal and quickly contributed, assisting Collins in the next minute to extend the advantage to 2-0.
Eads stopped a header from Ona Monserrat Baca in the 39th minute as Cumberland carried its two-goal cushion into halftime.
Lindsey Wilson responded after the break, outshooting the Phoenix 14-3 over the final 45 minutes. Ashiat Naluggwa cut the deficit in half at 58th-minute before converting a penalty kick at 66th-minute to tie the match.
Eads made three saves in just over a minute to keep the score level, denying Eva Cova, Norka Fergusson and Naluggwa. However, Julia Marcolongo put Lindsey Wilson ahead at the 76-minute mark, scoring off an assist from Baca.
Cumberland pushed for an equalizer down the stretch. Collins sent an attempt wide in the 78th minute, and Varela shot high in the 88th. Rodriguez put the Phoenix's final opportunity on frame with just over a minute left, but Serman made the save to preserve the victory.
The Phoenix will compete next at 6th-ranked University of the Cumberlands on Thursday, October 8th in Williamsburg, Kentucky.
