The Georgia Gwinnett College men's soccer team came from behind to defeat Cumberland University (Tennessee) 2-1 during Monday's Round of 16 match in the NAIA national championship tournament at the Orange Beach (Alabama) Sportsplex. The victory sends the Grizzlies to the quarterfinal round for the third time in program history.

That's where GGC (13-2-4) will face Grand View University (Iowa) on Thursday, December 4, beginning at 11 a.m. The Vikings upset the tournament's top seed Bethel University (Tennessee) 1-0 in the day's first match at the site.

Cumberland (14-4-3), the No. 8 seed, struck first during the 33rd minute on an unassisted goal by Miquel Gelabert.

Then, the No. 9-seeded GGC responded just before halftime as sophomore Pedro Alejandro pressured the Cumberland defense, stole the ball and sent a crossing pass into the box in front of the opposing goal. After a failed clearance, sophomore Gabriel Martins buried a shot into the back of the net to tie the match 1-1 in the 44th minute.

What a time for Martins' first goal of the season.

"We had time to get back in the game. Getting a goal right before the half was really big for us and provided positive momentum leading into the second half," said Head Coach Steve DeCou.

A solid defensive effort by GGC, anchored by freshman goalkeeper Victor Darub and the back line, kept the game tied in throughout most of the second half. Both teams had chances in an intense back-and-forth battle, but the Grizzlies took advantage of a break to eventually score the winning goal.

The play started with Darub providing a long ball that went deep into Cumberland's side of the pitch. Sophomore Alejandro Contrera controlled the ball and drew an important opposing foul near the box in front of the goal. The resulting free kick had freshman Michael Mallaburn sending a precise crossing pass into the penalty kick area. That's where sophomore Josefa Simao took control of the situation and calmly placed a low shot into the back of the goal, giving GGC a 2-1 lead in the 82nd minute.

"That (play) is something we practice but haven't been great with it this year," stated DeCou of the match-winning goal coming on a set-piece play. "If there is a time to get one to work, it is now."

Cumberland, which ranked fourth nationally by averaging 3.3 goals per match, outshot GGC by a 10-7 margin. However, the Grizzlies held a 4-1 advantage in shots on goal in the contest.

GGC was making its fifth appearance at the NAIA Final Site, while this was the first trip for the Phoenix. The Grizzlies also recorded their third come-from-behind victory of the season and second during this postseason run, defeating Carolina University (North Carolina) 2-1 in the semifinals of the Continental Athletic Conference tournament.

Monday's victory was GGC's 13th of the season – tying for the fourth most recorded in program history.
 
Coach's Corner 
"We made good adjustments in the second half and got a scrappy goal to win it. That's the type of effort it takes at this time of the year. Allowing just one shot on goal shows our guys' defensive commitment. That effort was commendable," said Head Coach Steve DeCou.
 
Turning Point 
Freshman Michael Mallaburn delivered a perfect free kick from 30 yards over the Cumberland defensive unit. That's when a streaking sophomore Josefa Simao calmly placed a shot into the lower right corner of the goal to net the match-winning goal in the 82nd minute of the match.
 
Goals
33' – Miquel Gelabert, CU (Unassisted)
44' – Gabriel Martins, GGC (Unassisted)
82' – Josefa Simao, GGC (Michael Mallaburn)
 
Inside The Numbers

• Cumberland outshot the Grizzlies by a 10-7 margin, but GGC held a 4-1 edge in shots on goal
• Sophomore Josefa Simao registered a team-high two shots in the triumph
• Sophomore Gabriel Martins scored his first goal of the season to square the contest late in the first half
• The Phoenix recorded a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks across Monday's 90 minutes of action

News & Notes 

• Georgia Gwinnett improves to 13-2-4 this fall; Cumberland ends the 2025 campaign with a 14-4-3 record
• GGC was ranked No. 12 in the final NAIA Top 25 poll; Cumberland stood No. 9 in the same poll
• Georgia Gwinnett College leads the series with a 5-0-1 all-time record against the Phoenix
• The team collected its seventh NAIA postseason victory in program history

Up Next 
Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to face Grand View University (Iowa) in a quarterfinal match on Thursday, December 4, at Orange Beach, Alabama, starting at 11 a.m.