WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. -- No. 1 Cumberland men's soccer hits the road Thursday for another Mid-South Conference matchup, taking on University of the Cumberlands at the UC Lacrosse/Soccer Complex.

The Phoenix look to get back to winning ways after a tight 0-0 tie with No. 18 Lindsey Wilson. 

Cumberland enters Thursday's contest with a 9-0-3 overall record and a 3-0-1 mark in Mid-South Conference play. The Phoenix have continued to establish themselves as one of the top teams in the country after moving to No. 1 in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll.

The Phoenix have been one of the nation's most dangerous offensive teams throughout the season, with 38 goals through 12 matches. Cumberland has been led by a balanced attack featuring David Barbakadze, Luis Cerejo and Wesley Mendoza.

Barbakadze has continued to pace the Phoenix attack, recording 10 goals with three assists for 23 points this season, while Cerejo has added eights goals with six assists for 22 points. Mendoza has also provided a consistent scoring threat with 5 goals and 3 assists for 13 points.

Defensively, Pau Gelabert has anchored the Phoenix in goal. The senior goalkeeper has started 12 matches while recording 30 saves and a 0.698 save percentage. Gelabert has also helped Cumberland record four shutouts on the season.

The Patriots enter Thursday's matchup with a 6-4-1 overall record and a 2-1 conference mark. Cumberlands will look to build on their last 7-0 victory against University of Northwestern Ohio in its most recent contest.
On offense, the Patriots are led by Leandro Nico Romero Protto, who has recorded nine goals for 18 points in nine games this season. Supporting the attack is Dunsting Cohen, who has added five goals and four assists in 11 games.

Cumberlands have split their goalkeeping responsibilities between Zachary Dean and Martin Gomez. Dean has recorded 10 saves with a 0.769 save percentage while allowing three goals this season. Whilst, Gomez has also recorded 10 saves with a 0.417 save percentage while allowing 14 goals this season.

Historically, the Phoenix have had the slight upper hand in the matchup with a record of 10-9-3 against the Patriots. Cumberland won last year's contest 2-0 in the mid-south conference semi-finals and will look to continue that success on Thursday. 

Thursday's matchup marks another significant test for the Phoenix as they continue their push at the top of the Mid-South Conference standings.

Kickoff is set for 6:30p.m. Thursday at the UC Lacrosse/Soccer Complex in Williamsburg, Kentucky.