RIO GRANDE, Ohio - The University of Rio Grande men's soccer team coughed up an early lead, but regained its advantage moments later and held on for a 2-1 win over the University of the Cumberlands, Wednesday night, in the semifinal round of the Mid-South Conference Tournament at Evan E. Davis Field.
The RedStorm, seeded No. 2 in the eight-team field, improved to 17-1 with the win and earned a second meeting with top-seeded Lindsey Wilson in Thursday's title game. The Blue Raiders advanced with a 1-0 overtime win over Campbellsville in the first semifinal contest.
Lindsey Wilson, the nation's top-ranked team, is responsible for the Storm's only loss of the season - a 3-2 overtime decision at Rio Grande last month.
Rio Grande, ranked No. 4 in the most recent NAIA coaches poll, took a 1-0 lead in Wednesday's game when Mike DeFonte scored off an assist from Rafael Maccauro at the 19:28 mark of the first half.
The lead held up until Cumberlands' Thiago Andrade found the back of the net - unassisted - just 1:38 into the second half to knot the score at 1-1.
But the Patriots' momentum didn't last long.
Just over a minute-and-a-half later, Kenny Doublette scored off an assist from Joel Thiessen to give the RedStorm the lead for good.
Cumberlands held a 12-6 edge in shots, with junior keeper Jack Marchant collecting six saves for Rio Grande.
A total of five yellow cards and one red card were handed out in the contest - four against the Patriots.
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| NAIA Nationals | |
| Rio Grande at | |
| NAIA Nationals | |
