NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 2, Cumberlands 2 // PKs - Life 4, Cumberlands 5
Records: Life U, 16-2-2; Cumberlands, 9-5-5
ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — The Life University men's soccer team concluded its 2025 NAIA Tournament run with a heartbreaking loss to the Patriots of Cumberlands on Monday night. With the score line tied 2-2 after regulation and extra time, the game went to penalty kicks where the Running Eagles fell 5-4. The majority of the game was played in rainy conditions as storms moved through the area.
It was the Patriots to strike first in the contest, jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute.
Life wasted no time striking back. In the 27th minute, the returning Andrei Apostu struck for the first Running Eagles goal. Manuel Carrillo played a ball into the 18, where Apostu headed home the opportunity.
Now with all the momentum, Life U turned the game upside down. Just moments after the equalizer, Enrico Burigotto gave his squad the lead. A ball swung into the 18 from William Galli bounced around to the foot of Burigotto. Seizing the opportunity, the junior narrowly slipped the shot past the outstretched fingers of the Cumberlands keeper.
The Patriots continued to stay in the contest, with the score line moving back to neutral just a few minutes after the Burigotto goal. Off a free kick, an errant touch from the back line resulted in an own-goal, making it 2-2.
The final 15 minutes of the half continued to be eventful, but neither team found the back of the net. Carrying the 2-2 score line into the break, Life U out shot the Patriots, 7-1 and held a narrow 1-0 lead in corner opportunities.
Out of the break, the action slowed as the rain continued to pour in Orange Beach. There were just three shots total between the two squads in the second half, with all three being off the mark. With the lack of chances and shots, the contest remained tied at the conclusion of the 90 minutes and the game moved to extra time.
Life U opened the first period of extra time with all the possession. However, the dominant control resulted in just one wide shot from Vicente Cuquerella. The second of period of extra time featured more of the same, though neither team recorded a shot. There were just four shots total in the contest following the 31st minute.
Heading to penalty kicks, both Life U and Cumberlands squads made the first four attempts. However, the Running Eagles fifth PK found the crossbar and bounced out. The Patriots capitalized on the miss, slotting home the fifth and game-winning PK.
Following the 5-4 loss in PKs, the result marks the end of the 2025 season.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Life U out shot the Patriots 9-3 in the contest.
--There were a total of 21 fouls in the game.
TURNING POINT:
--After a fierce first half, the remainder of the contest remained slow offensively for both teams.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Andrei Apostu netted the first Life U goal.
--Enrico Burigotto had a goal in the contest.
--William Galli and Manuel Carrillo both recorded an assist.
