No. 4 WPU Settles for Draw Against No. 6 Cumberland in Top-10 Matchup
Oskaloosa–The No. 4 William Penn men’s soccer team battled back twice in the second half, but ultimately had to settle for a 3-3 tie against No. 6 Cumberland (Tenn.) in non-conference action Monday.
The Statesmen (2-0-2) held a slight lead in shots at 11-8 (6-4 shots on goal) and an edge in corner kicks (4-2), but could not come away with the victory as they closed out their non-conference schedule.
WPU struck first in the 27th minute when Ivan Abraira (So., Asturias, Spain, Exercise Science and Kinesiology) delivered a pass to Gonzalo Rawinad (Fr., Gijon, Spain, Psychology) who buried the finish for a 1-0 lead. The Statesmen lead unfortunately did not last long, though, as the Phoenix (4-0-1) responded less than two minutes later, knotting the game at 1-1 going into the break.
Cumberland broke the tie midway into the second half, but once again the lead did not last long as WPU tied the contest at the 75:07 mark when Rawinad found the back of the net for the second time, assisted by a long delivery into the box from Angel Valdez (Jr., Mexicali, Mexico, Nursing).
The Phoenix claimed the advantage back again with just 9:02 remaining. Fortunately, the Statesmen responded with a late equalizer when Rawinad found Jarred Hendricks (Sr., Cape Town, South Africa) to tie the game at 3-3 at the 84:17 juncture. No shots found the netting in the final minutes, leaving both programs still unblemished in 2026.
“These are the games we want to play in, against a top NAIA team from a different conference,” Head Coach Joe Minton said. “The game was not just a good one to watch, but to coach in as well. There was a lot of back-and-forth play, lots of jeopardy involved, and it was quite physical. We are disappointed, though, to not take all three points today. We have to find a way to prevent individual mistakes that are costing us in big moments.”
Next Up: The Statesmen remain in Oskaloosa Saturday as they kick off Heart of America Athletic Conference action against Benedictine at 4:30 p.m.
