Missouri Baptist men resist Cumberland 1-0

Sep. 23—Missouri Baptist's men nabbed an early second half goal and then packed the box to fend off a barrage of Cumberland shots and set piece to hold on for a 1-0 win at Lindsey Donnell Stadium on Wednesday.

The Spartans (3-1-3), fresh off of receiving votes in Wednesday's top 25 NAIA soccer coaches' poll, defended chance after chance Cumberland created while playing the final 40 minutes of the match a man down.

Cumberland fired 19 shots including 12 in the second half. Cumberland also had a goal waved off on an offside call in the 59th minute which would have tied the match, but couldn't replicate it to get the equalizer.

The Spartans had a tandem of keepers in there to help them get the clean sheet. Matteo Giglozzi started the match in frame and made three saves in 56 minutes of action before having to come off with an injury. Callum McKinley subbed in and played the final 33 minutes picking up three more saves for six total.

Missouri Baptist put two shots on goal and took just four shots in the entirety of the match, but found the back of the net.

In the first half, both sides played very competitively to a scoreless half. Only one really great chance came for both sides as Victor Ramirez fired a shot that Gigliozzi had to fully extend, making a diving save to force it out of bounds.

Out of the gates in the second half, Jovan Mihalovic headed a ball behind Cumberland's back line and Sergej Misic tracked it down with just Jack McCarthy to beat. Music slotted it toward the near post for the lone goal of the match.

A few minutes after that goal, Jack Ridley was sent off with a red card for Missouri Baptist which really opened up space for Cumberland's offense to operate, but the Spartans were prepared for everything Cumberland threw at them. They made some changes and packed the box full leaving little room for the Phoenix to get a shot on a goal.

Despite their defensive efforts, Cumberland still had several chances, blasting shot after shot and corner after corner, but just could not find a way to put the ball in the back of the net.

In the match, Cumberland took a total of 17 corner kicks with 11 in the second half, but each time the Spartans made a play and cleared it away from the goal.

Cumberland will look to regroup and bounce back today as the Phoenix open up Mid-South Conference play against Freed-Hardeman at 3:30 p.m. at Lindsey Donnell Stadium.

Phoenix ladies remain No. 16 in 3rd top 25 soccer poll

Cumberland's women remained at No. 16 in the third regular season NAIA top 25 soccer coaches' poll, announced by the national office Wednesday.

The Phoenix are still unbeaten on the season with a 8-0-1 record with a win and a draw against the two ranked teams the Phoenix have played.

Through nine matches, Cumberland has notched 41 goals the second most goals in the NAIA trailing just William Carey who has 53 in eight matches. Cumberland is also second in the NAIA in assists with 41.

Defensively, Cumberland has posted the second most shutouts in the country with six and have only allowed four goals this season, two in the last two matches against Life and Missouri Baptist.

Striker Mari Sagstad is third in the NAIA in goals scored with 11 after scoring in yesterday's match. She is also third in the NAIA in points with 25 on the season. Brenna Swiger is up to seven goals and seven assists on the season. Swiger is second in the country in assists. Gabby Jones is third on the team in goals with five while Brenda Cernas and Yuna Hazekawa each have three.

Marie Bathe has added two goals while adding six helpers to her statistics. Ella Tuplin also has six assists, so the two are tied for fifth in the NAIA in assists.

The back line for Cumberland has been pivotal for Cumberland's success.Grace Morris and Celia Rodriguez have held down the centerback position making it hard for any team to even create opportunities. Lucia Mei, Alivia Chambers, and a few others on the outside have also played a big role in shutting down opportunities.

Goalkeeper Sabrina Graziano has posted five shutouts Graziano has made 16 saves with a 88.9% save percentage. Celia Martin has won the last three matches in goal for Cumberland filling in for Graziano while she is out with an injury.

The Phoenix are one two Mid-South Conference teams ranked in the NAIA Top 25. The University of the Cumberlands remains No. 3. Campbellsville stays in the receiving votes category.

William Carey (Miss.) is the No. 1 team with a 8-0-0 record. Spring Arbor is No. 2 followed by the Patriots at No. 3. Marian sits at No. 4 and Oklahoma Wesleyan slides into the Top 5 at No. 5.

Cumberland will open up Mid-South Conference play today as the Phoenix take on Freed-Hardeman at Lindsey Donnell Stadium at 1 p.m.

CU women withstand late charge to win 2-1

ST. LOUIS — Hitting the road for the first time in four games, Cumberland's women traveled to face off against Missouri Baptist University on Tuesday.

The Spartans mounted a late charge, but the Phoenix ultimately cruised to a 2-1 victory.

The Phoenix had their foot on the gas straight from kickoff, trying to take MBU out from early on. Putting five shots on goal before the Spartans ever recorded a shot at all, Cumberland looked comfortable in the attacking third.

After countless attempts at goal, it was Yuna Hazekawa coming up big to break the deadlock. Winning a free kick from just over 20 yards out, Hazekawa delivered a bullet of a shot into the top right corner, leaving little to chance. With the goal she's now scored three times this season, with two coming from free kicks.

Though they had double-digit shots and several on goal, the Phoenix struggled to find their way through the Spartan's strong defense. Taking their lead into the break, Cumberland was ahead but only by a small margin, 1-0.

Mounting pressure from the beginning of the second half, the Phoenix continued to pepper the MBU defense with shots. Linking up for the Phoenix's second goal was Mari Sagstad and Brenna Swiger.

The Spartans defended well in their own half and just as they began to push their defense further up the field, Swiger found Sagstad through on goal. Sagstad took the ball down the right wing and had the whole goal to shoot as she was one on one with the goalkeeper; keeping her head level, she slotted it into the right side of the goal.

Missouri made a late charge, getting a goal in the 87th minute, though it was too little too little as the Phoenix's defense held strong in the final minutes.

With the win the Phoenix have now won four games in a row and will open up Mid-South Conference play today against Freed-Hardeman. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Lindsey Donnell Stadium.