Phoenix Capture First MSC Regular-Season Title Since 2018 with 2-1 Win Over Campbellsville
Unbeaten in conference play, No. 3 Cumberland earns top seed and bye into MSC Tournament semifinals
LEBANON, TN - Cumberland University men’s soccer closed its regular season in championship fashion Saturday afternoon, overcoming an early deficit to defeat Campbellsville 2-1 and claim the program’s first Mid-South Conference regular-season title since 2018.
On senior day at Lindsey Donnell Stadium, the Phoenix (10-1-4 overall, 4-0-2 MSC) finished conference play unbeaten with 14 points, securing the top seed and a first-round bye in the upcoming MSC Tournament.
Campbellsville struck first in the eighth minute, stunning the home crowd. Cumberland responded before halftime. In the 32nd minute, Rex Pearce finished a rebound after Luis Cerejo’s free kick rattled the crossbar, tying the match at 1-1.
The Phoenix struck again early in the second half. Just four minutes after the restart, Wesley Mendoza cut onto his left foot and curled a shot into the top corner for the go-ahead goal, assisted by Cerejo. Mendoza’s strike was his seventh of the season. The Cumberland defense held firm the rest of the way to preserve the victory.
Cumberland dominated the statistical battle, outshooting Campbellsville 20-8 and putting nine shots on target. Cerejo recorded both assists in the match.
The win marked a significant milestone for the Phoenix, who entered the contest ranked No. 3 in the latest NAIA National Selection Committee poll. After a strong campaign that included only one loss, Cumberland has positioned itself as one of the nation’s elite programs heading into the postseason.
With the regular season complete, the Phoenix will rest while the quarterfinals of the seven-team MSC Tournament take place Oct. 28-30 at the higher seeds’ home fields. Cumberland advances directly to the semifinals, scheduled for Nov. 4-6, and will host its opponent at Lindsey Donnell Stadium. The conference championship match is set for Nov. 10, also at the higher remaining seed.
The MSC Tournament champion earns the conference’s automatic bid to the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship. The national tournament typically begins with opening-round games at campus sites in late November, followed by the final site in early December.
For Cumberland, a deep run in the conference tournament would strengthen its case for a high seed and another opportunity to compete on the national stage, building on the program’s recent postseason experience.
Cumberland will look to carry its momentum and home-field advantage into the semifinals as it pursues both a conference tournament title and a strong showing in the NAIA Championships.
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