Pulaski, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern (9-8, 6-5 MSC) men's soccer came up just short against #21 Cumberland(12-3-1, 8-2-1 MSC) in a 5-4 loss on Thursday night. 

Kam Stanley quickly got the Phoenix on the board in the first minute on assists by Cathal Coyne and Tyler Watson. Martin Walsh extended the Phoenix lead in the 24th minute. UTS forward Mario Lopez shaved the lead to 2-1 in the 28th minute off the boot of Alejandro Blanco. Watson would find the net just two minutes later on the Edvin Grevskott pass. UTS would out shoot the Phoenix 7-5 in the opening half.

The second half was a scoring frenzy. Manuel Otero would strike in the 57th minute with help from Manuel Morales. Just two minutes later, John Azar, on the Watson assist, would answer for the Phoenix. UTS would draw even on spectacular goals from Lopez and Galan, scored off a corner, in the 73rd and 76th minutes. Watson would hit Brandon Gonzalez for the game winner for the Phoenix in the 85th minute. Both squads would dish out 15 shots each.

The Firehawks are waiting for the outcome of the Cumberlands at Life match to be played Friday. This will cement either a #5 or #6 seed for the MSC Championship. There will be four opening round games played on November 1st and 2nd at the higher seeds. The winners will then travel to the #1-#4 seeds for quarterfinal action beginning Friday November 5th. The tournament will conclude in Bowling Green, Ky. the following week with semifinal action to be played on the 10th and the finals on the 12th.

NEXT UP

The Firehawks will host and opening round MSC Championship matchup at Grissom Pitch either on November 1st or 2nd with their opponent to be announced.