Score: No. 1 Keiser Seahawks 0, No. 5 University of the Cumberlands Patriots 1
Records: No. 1 Keiser (4-1-0), No. 5 University of the Cumberlands (6-0-2)
Location: Arrigo-Vecellio Field, West Palm Beach, Fla.
In a top-five showdown on Saturday morning at Arrigo-Vecellio Field, No. 5 Cumberlands (Ky.) handed No. 1 Keiser its first loss of the season, earning a 1-0 road victory behind a late strike from Letizia Traversone. The match was a defensive battle throughout, with the Patriots absorbing waves of Keiser pressure. The Seahawks controlled much of the possession and fired 19 shots, including eight on frame, but could not find a breakthrough against Cumberland's goalkeeper Morgan White, who tallied seven saves to secure the shutout. The decisive moment came in the 88th minute when Traversone pounced on an opportunity inside the box and slotted home the game-winner.
The Seahawks hit the road for their first true away match on Wednesday, September 17, when they take on Ave Maria. Kickoff from Gyrene Field in Ave Maria, Fla. is set for 11:00 a.m.
- In the third minute, Cumberlands had a header right in front of the net, but Mio Tanaka came up with a big save
- With under 15 seconds left in the half, Tanaka came up big again with a save on a free kick that was placed near the top corner of the net by Letizia Traversone
- In the 55th minute, Lauren Riley crossed a ball into the middle to Emilia Nilsson whose shot would be saved on the line by defender Madison Long
- Ruby Vernon nearly broke through in the 74th minute but sent her shot well over the crossbar
- Haley Miller had a decent chance in the 79th minute, but her shot would be deflected before being saved
- In the 88th minute, Noah Paalman slid in and blasted a ball upfield where Traversone worked around two defenders and fired a shot through a deflection and in
- Keiser falls to 4-1 with the loss
- The last time the Seahawks failed to score was the Round of 16 in the NAIA National Tournament against No. 1 William Carey on November 27, 2023
- KU falls to 71-40-12 all-time against ranked opponents
- Tanaka recorded a season-high four saves in the game
- The Seahawks still managed to outshoot the Patriots 19-6 (8-5 on goal)
The Seahawks hit the road for their first true away match on Wednesday, September 17 when they take on Ave Maria. Kickoff from Gyrene Field in Ave Maria, Fla. is set for 11:00 a.m.
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