Eagles Stay Undefeated Against Cumberland (TN)

Waleska, GA - The Eagles were back in action on Saturday evening with the visiting Phoenix from Cumberland University. The game would be a heavy defensive battle in which neither team was able to find the back of the net ending in a 0-0 tie.

Elijah Clark and the Eagles' defense held strong against a formidable attack from the Phoenix. Clark had 9 saves total in the game from 19 total shots and 9 shots on goal. It was another incredible game for the senior as he would bat away several final point-blank shots keeping the Eagles level in the game.

Clark was helped by outstanding play by Ivan Patta, Raphael Mospanyuk, Brady Craig, and Ian Brunet. For the majority of the game, the Eagles were defending their goal as waves of Cumberland's offense took aim on goal and it was the backline and Carlk in goal that kept the team even with a fighting chance to score one of their own.

The tie against Cumberland gives Clark his second clean sheet of the season.

The Eagles' offense had a few chances, but for the most part - they were not able to get a really good shot against Cumberland.  Cumberland is just outside the NAIA Top 25 and it seems they have the team to break into the rankings so the Eagles are hanging with some of the better teams in the NAIA.

Rafael Pais and Maxime Correia were the Eagles that had direct shots on goal, but Jacob Grimmer and Benja Elgueta both had shots that just went wide. 

The team is gelling and playing as a complete unit early in the season, but they still have to figure out the final third attack and start putting some goals away.  They have had a fairly tough schedule to open the 2023 season playing two ranked teams (Dalton State & Life University) and Cumberland just outside the Top 25 all with some success.  Each of these games ended in a tie, but this gives an idea of how the better teams in the NAIA actually play.

The Eagles will open AAC play next Saturday on the road at St. Andrews.  The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start. Check back to www.reainhardteagles.com for more information on the St. Andrews game.