MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Eagles picked up a historic win Wednesday afternoon at Billy D. Hilyer Stadium with a 2-0 defeat of Cumberland (Tenn.) who is currently in the receiving votes category of the latest poll. The victory marked just the second time in the 20-year program history that Faulkner Men's Soccer defeated a nationally-ranked foe after defeating crosstown rival AUM in 2015 who was No. 22 at the time.

After a 31st-minute red card was issued to Cumberland, the Phoenix battened down the hatches and put every defender behind the ball. "[The red card] probably actually made it tougher for us to score today because they put everything into their defense and defended really well," Head Coach Gabriel de Queiroz said. 

The Phoenix allowed just four shots on goal against an offense that had been scoring at will over the past three matches and had placed 44 on target in the previous two matches. However, two of those found the back of the net and helped Faulkner to a five match unbeaten streak to start the season for just the fourth time (2019, 2017, 2010). 
 
Antoine Marques received a pass from Caio Pereira in the 75th minute, took a couple of touches around his defender and struck a left-footed shot from the left side of the box curling into the right side netting to claim the lead. It was the reigning SSAC Offensive Player of the Week's seventh game-winning goal of his career and the sixth goal of his season bringing him to 26 career goals. 

Just 10 minutes later and about a minute after subbing on, Ilan Tabet picked out Pereira off a corner and the Brazilian found his third goal of the season, all off corner kicks. Pereira found space atop the six meter box and nodded home the 85th minute dagger. Faulkner has 11 goal contributions from defensive midfielders and center backs this season. 

Matteo Scarduzio made a great reaction save off a redirected shot in the 90th minute to preserve the clean sheet. 

"We needed this type of game at home to bring confidence to our team," Queiroz said. "All the boys, including the ones that didn't step on the field today, have been working hard and competing daily to be ready for games like this one today."

The Eagles sit at 4-0-1 and have a goal differential of 23 which is second most in the country. Faulkner travels to Marietta, Ga. to take on Montreat in a neutral site contest next Wednesday night for the final non conference match of the season seeking revenge for a late comeback from the Cavaliers last season.  Read Full Article