LEBANON, Tenn. –
Alessandro Martinez gave Campbellsville an eighth-minute lead Saturday at Lindsey Donnell Stadium, but No. 3 Cumberland answered with goals on either side of halftime to defeat the Tigers 2-1 in their regular-season finale.
- Martinez scored his third goal of the season at 7:59, with Izan Garcia Gancedo and Mihlali Blesi each credited with an assist.
- Campbellsville twice struck the woodwork while pursuing an equalizer, with Mark Horn hitting the crossbar in the 50th minute and Fredrik Nordal heading against the post in the 80th.
- Malthe Schou recorded seven saves, including four after halftime, to keep the Tigers within one goal throughout the closing stages.
- The Tigers converted their only shot on goal but could not put another attempt on frame against goalkeeper Pau Gelabert.
- Horn led Campbellsville with three shots, while Blesi attempted two and assisted the opening goal.
- Campbellsville earned three second-half corners and finished with five to Cumberland's six, despite the Phoenix holding a 20-8 advantage in shots.
Schou made two early saves against David Barbakadze before Campbellsville opened the scoring. Garcia Gancedo and Blesi combined to assist Martinez, whose finish at 7:59 put the Tigers ahead 1-0.
Horn sent an attempt wide in the 17th minute, and Schou denied Wesley Mendoza in the 22nd as Campbellsville protected its advantage. Cumberland equalized at 31:13 when Rex Pearce scored six seconds after Luis Cerejo struck the crossbar, with Cerejo credited with the assist. The teams entered halftime tied 1-1.
The Phoenix moved ahead at 49:10 when Mendoza converted from Cerejo's second assist. Campbellsville nearly answered immediately, but Horn's shot struck the crossbar 29 seconds later.
The Tigers continued searching for an equalizer as Blesi had attempts blocked in the 68th and 76th minutes. Schou kept the deficit at one with two saves against Kacper Wolicki during that stretch.
Nordal came closest to drawing Campbellsville level late, heading against the post at 79:42 following a Garcia Gancedo corner. The Tigers earned another corner in the 85th minute but did not register another shot.
Schou stopped Mendoza and Rodrigo Lasso during the closing five minutes before Lasso struck the crossbar. Campbellsville finished the regular season 3-8-5 overall and 1-3-2 in Mid-South Conference play.
The Tigers will enter the MSC Championship Tournament as the No. 6 seed and face the Bethel Wildcats.
