LEBANON, Tenn. -- Cumberland men's soccer returns to Lindsey Donnell Stadium on Thursday afternoon for a 12:30 p.m. match against the University of the Cumberlands in the Mid-South Conference Tournament semifinals.

Coming in hot after securing the regular season title in their last regular season game against Campbellsville on senior night, the top-seeded Phoenix look to continue their winning ways in the semifinals. Cumberland won the title undefeated with a 4-0-2 record in conference play for 14 points. 

After sealing their first regular season championship since 2018, CU will now be looking to make more history by sweeping both conference titles.

The Phoenix closed out their regular season on October 24 with a 2-1 victory over Campbellsville. Cumberland fell behind early, before Rex Pearce equalized in the 32nd minute. Wesley Mendoza then scored the game-winner in the 50th minute, assisted by Luis Cerejo, who had also set up Pearce's goal. The Phoenix outshot the Tigers 20-8 on the day and had nine shots on goal.

The Phoenix have been one of the most prolific scoring teams in the conference this season, tallying 41 goals in 15 games while allowing only 17.

Individually, the Cumberland have had some incredible seasons. David Barbakadze is the top goal scorer for the Phoenix with 10 goals and three assists for 23 points, earning himself a Freshman of the Year honor, followed by Luis Cerejo, the Mid-South Player of the Year with eight goals and nine assists for 25 points. Mendoza supported the pair with seven goals and three assists for 17 points. Cerejo is the top playmaker for the Phoenix with nine assists, ranking third on the team in offensive output.

Cumberland will also be looking to the defensive side of the field with the Defender of the Year in Mark Donaldson and behind him in the sticks, goalkeeper Pau Gelabert. The backline will look to prevent the attack of the Patriots. Gelabert has 40 saves on the season and has helped to record four shutouts.

The University of the Cumberlands enters the tournament as the No. 4 seed with a 7-6-4 record. The Patriots advanced to the semifinals after a 1-0 victory over No. 5 seed Freed-Hardeman in the quarterfinals on October 28. Leandro Nico Romero scored the game-winner in the 28th minute, and Zachary Dean had two saves in goal for the Patriots, who recorded their fourth shutout of the season.

Cumberland's defense will have to keep their eye on the Patriots' top goal scorer this season, Leandro Nico Romero with 11 goals on the year. The University of the Cumberlands is having another successful season after reaching the national semifinals for the second consecutive year and finishing 4th at the NAIA National Championship in 2025.

The teams played to a 1-1 tie on October 8 at Williamsburg, Kentucky. Mendoza scored for Cumberland in the second half with a Cerejo assist to equalize for the Phoenix after Vinicius Sefarim opened the scoring for the Patriots. Gelabert had five saves on the night for the Phoenix.

Historically, this has been a well-balanced contest, with Cumberland taking the lead with a 10-9-4 record. Unlike the last contest between these two Mid-South Conference powerhouses, the matchup will require a winner. 

The winner of the match will play the winner of the Lindsey Wilson-Bethel match in the MSC Championship on November 10th. The winner of the championship match will receive the automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship.