Box Score

COLUMBIA, Ky. –After top seed Lindsey Wilson was upset by Cumberland University, No. 3 Campbellsville met No. 2 Rio Grande on the pitch in the Mid-South Conference semifinals. CU could not spark enough offense to overcome two first half goals by the RedStorm and lost, 3-1.

 

"We came out timid in the first half and that is what beat us," said CU head coach Adam Preston. "A team this good and this well coached will take advantage of early opportunities and they did."

 

As Campbellsville gained momentum from a late first-half score, the Tigers could not squeeze out another goal in the final 45 minutes. CU had chance after chance but nothing was working.

 

Right as Campbellsville started to create opportunities, Rio Grande dashed the hopes of the Tigers making a comeback and completing the second upset on the night. CU's defense broke down in the box and William Paulino's pass to Orlando Zapata was right on target as he kicked in the insurance goal the RedStorm was looking for to ice the match.

 

"They're so effective in their attack and when we started to go after them in the second half it created holes in our defense," said Preston. "They attacked those holes and it finally paid off for them late in the game."

 

It seemed as Rio Grande controlled most of the first half as the RedStorm pressured CU early in the game. They had opportunities within the first 10 minutes as Luiz Filho and Ryota Tonegawa both missed shots high.

 

Rio finally struck as Filho used some nifty footwork and broke the scoreless tie from just outside the 18-yard box and put the RedStorm up 1-0.  

 

Campbellsville did start to generate some offense off some fancy footwork of its own. Mid-South Conference Player of the Year, Roraigh Yearwood, had two opportunities but just missed wide in the next five minutes.

 

Rio Grande extended its lead with a second goal by Paulino. Defender Adam Linderholm deflected Patricio Arce's pass but the ball went straight to the foot of Paulino for the easy score.

 

On the next CU possession, the Tigers took advantage of a foul and free kick. Gustav Carlsson's kick was booted into the box but the RedStorm defense knocked the ball out to the foot of freshman Ryan Foster. The Leiscester, England native took a 25-yard shot that flew past Rio's goalkeeper, Jon Dodson, and went in the upper right corner. 

 

Campbellsville cut the lead in half, but the RedStorm came right back down the pitch and missed another chance to extend their lead as Nikoy Wallace's shot was headed straight for an empty net but junior defensemen, Adam Linderholm, was there for the save.

 

Although Campbellsville was down at the half 2-1, it started to use some late offensive attacks to gain some momentum.

 

The Tigers came out of the break and applied pressure to the RedStorm defense on multiple occasions but Rio did not falter.

 

CU used a combination between Alex Ryan and Kevon Farquharson but his shot missed just wide.

 

With 29 minutes left in the game, Rio Grande's Davies was called for a yellow card. Carlsson took the free kick again and he led speedy Farquharson down the right side of the 18-yard box. His lob pass was placed perfectly but cleared by the RedStorm defense.

 

That was the final time CU pressured Rio Grande in the match before the RedStorm took the 3-1 lead off the goal by Zapata.

 

"Rio did come out and play a little differently then they have in the past," said Preston. "They played a little long ball and tried to keep the ball away from us. That shows that teams are starting to respect our talent and abilities to come in and upset anyone."

 

Campbellsville dropped to 16-3-1 on the year and will now look for an at-large bid in the NAIA National Tournament. If the Tigers do not receive the bid, they will host the NCCAA Mid-East Regional starting on Friday, Nov. 22. Game times are set for 5 and 7 p.m. on Friday and the championship match will be played at 7 p.m. on Saturday. All times are eastern.

   

To follow CU Tiger soccer throughout the postseason, check out @CvilleTigers on Twitter.