CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. —
Oddny Helgadottir and
Marta Prieto scored as No. 23 Campbellsville University held off Cumberland University 2-1 Thursday at Finley Stadium, advancing to the Mid-South Conference Championship match for the second consecutive season.
- Campbellsville advanced to defend its tournament title. The Tigers improved to 12-2-2 and earned a championship rematch with the University of the Cumberlands after defeating the Patriots for the 2025 tournament crown.
- Helgadottir continued producing decisive goals. The first-team All-MSC midfielder scored in the 13th minute, giving her four goals this season, all of which have been match-winners.
- Prieto supplied early second-half separation. She scored unassisted 1 minute, 28 seconds after halftime, recording her 15th goal of the season and doubling Campbellsville's advantage.
- Julia Ogren helped create the breakthrough. Ogren assisted Helgadottir's opening goal and finished with three shots as Campbellsville generated 17 attempts.
- Sydney Hall withstood Cumberland's pressure. Hall made six saves, including five before halftime, and stopped Victoria Collins' header shortly before the Phoenix scored their lone goal.
- Campbellsville held the attacking advantage. The Tigers outshot Cumberland 17-12, including 10-7 after halftime, and earned four corner kicks while conceding one.
- The Tigers remained unbeaten at Finley Stadium. Campbellsville improved its home record to 8-0-1 and earned the opportunity to host the MSC championship match.
Campbellsville generated the match's first opportunity in the fifth minute, when Cumberland goalkeeper Sydney Eads stopped
Fiona Jolly's attempt. Hall answered with a save against Collins before Eads denied Helgadottir in the 10th minute.
The Tigers broke through at 12:02. Ogren supplied the final pass to Helgadottir, who converted the opening goal to put Campbellsville ahead 1-0.
Cumberland tested Hall twice over the next 12 minutes, but she stopped both attempts from Adelyn Drane. Helgadottir continued to threaten at the opposite end, forcing another save from Eads in the 28th minute.
Hall added saves against Angie Abreu and Ruth Rodriguez during the closing 10 minutes of the half. Eads denied Ogren in the 43rd minute as Campbellsville carried its one-goal advantage into halftime.
Prieto doubled the lead at 46:28, scoring unassisted on Campbellsville's first shot of the second half. The Tigers continued pressing, with Ogren generating two attempts and Prieto delivering a corner during the following seven minutes.
Cumberland responded with sustained pressure near the hour mark. Hall saved Collins' header at 60:21, but Drane scored on the ensuing sequence 23 seconds later to reduce Campbellsville's lead to 2-1.
The Tigers generated five attempts over the next 24 minutes while keeping the Phoenix without a shot. Eads stopped Prieto's header in the 85th minute to preserve Cumberland's opportunity for an equalizer.
Cumberland nearly leveled the match when Lilly Adair struck the crossbar at 87:51, but her next attempt sailed high. Campbellsville closed out the final minutes to secure its second victory over the Phoenix this season and a place in the conference final.
Campbellsville will host Cumberlands in a rematch of the 2025 MSC championship match Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Finley Stadium.
