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Grizzlies Advance to NAIA Quarterfinals After Comeback Win Over Cumberland
Georgia Gwinnett College’s men’s soccer team secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over cumberland University (Tennessee) in the NAIA national championship tournament, propelling them to the quarterfinal round.
The Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) men’s soccer team demonstrated resilience and determination,overcoming an early deficit to defeat Cumberland University 2-1 in a round of 16 match held Monday at the Orange Beach (Alabama) Sportsplex. This victory marks the Grizzlies’ third appearance in the NAIA quarterfinal round in programme history.GGC (13-2-4) will now face Grand View University (Iowa) on Thursday, December 4, at 11 a.m. local time.Grand View advanced after upsetting the tournament’s top seed, Bethel University (Tennessee), with a 1-0 scoreline.
Cumberland (14-4-3), seeded eighth in the tournament, initially took the lead in the 33rd minute with an unassisted goal from Miquel Gelabert. However, the ninth-seeded Grizzlies responded strategically just before halftime. Sophomore Peter Alexander applied intense pressure on the Cumberland defense, dispossessing a defender and delivering a precise crossing pass into the opposing box. Following a failed clearance attempt, sophomore Gabriel Martins capitalized, scoring his first goal of the season to level the contest at 1-1. the game remained tied untill the 82nd minute when a well-executed free kick by Michael Mallaburn found Joseph Simao, who converted the opportunity to give GGC a 2-1 lead. “We made good adjustments in the second half and got a scrappy goal to win it,” said Coach DeCou. “That’s the type of effort it takes at this time of the year. Allowing just one shot on goal shows our guys’ defensive commitment. That effort was commendable.”
Despite being outshot 10-7 by Cumberland, which ranks fourth nationally in scoring with an average of 3.3 goals per match, GGC held a significant 4-1 advantage in shots on goal. This was GGC’s fifth appearance at the NAIA Final Site, while cumberland made its debut. The Grizzlies have now recorded their third come-from-behind victory this season, adding to their postseason success after previously defeating Carolina University (North Carolina) 2-1 in the Continental Athletic Conference tournament semifinals.Monday’s win brought GGC’s season record to 13 victories, tying for the fourth-highest total in program history.
According to a team release, Coach DeCou emphasized the team’s adjustments and effort, stating, “we made good adjustments in the second half and got a scrappy goal to win it. That’s the type of effort it takes at this time of the year. Allowing just one shot on goal shows our guys’ defensive commitment.That effort was commendable.”
The turning point of the match came in the 82nd minute when Mallaburn’s precise free kick set up Simao for the game-winning goal.
Goals:
- 33′ – Miquel Gelabert, CU (Unassisted)
- 44′ – Gabriel Martins, GGC (Unassisted)
- 82′ – Joseph Simao, GGC (Michael Mallaburn)
Inside the Numbers:
- Cumberland outshot the Grizzlies 10-7, but GGC led 4-1 in shots on goal.
- Sophomore Joseph Simao registered a team-high two shots in the triumph.
- Sophomore Gabriel Martins scored his first goal of the season to level the contest.
- Cumberland held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks.
News & Notes:
- Georgia gwinnett’s record now stands at 13-2-4, while Cumberland concludes its season at 14-4-3.
- GGC was ranked No. 12 in the final NAIA Top 25 poll, with Cumberland at No. 9.
- Georgia Gwinnett College holds a 5-0-1 all-time record against Cumberland University.
- This victory marks the team’s seventh NAIA postseason win in program history.
GGC will continue its pursuit of a national championship when they face Grand View University (Iowa) in a quarterfinal match on Thursday, December 4, at 11 a.m. at the Orange Beach
