A 600-plus-mile journey awaits the Gold Rush in their NAIA national tournament debut, but a little travel is easy to take in exchange for continuing a historic season. 

Xavier learned Friday night that it would face Cumberlands (Ky.) in the second round of the NAIA national tournament. 

The NAIA consists of 40 teams, a select number of which advance automatically to the second round. By virtue of their success in 2025, the Gold Rush were among those teams. 

"We're excited to be matched up versus Cumberlands (Ky.)," head coach Lucas Cordeiro said. "They've been a top program for years and are very well coached. Their coach, Paulo, is actually a friend of mine, so it's a matchup I'm really looking forward to." 

Cumberlands, which plays in the Mid-South Conference, enters the match with a record of 8-5-4, having just lost to the Cumberlands (Tenn.) in the MSC tournament semifinals. Xavier is riding high with a 13-4-1 record and a recently secured RRAC tournament title. 

"It's a long trip, but we'll have a full week to prepare," Cordeiro said. "The boys are ready for the moment, and we're looking forward to stepping up in a massive game like this."

The teams are statistically very similar. Xavier averages just over 2 goals per game, while Cumberlands averages 1 ½. 

Iman Ouedraogo, who was recently named Red River Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year, has scored 13 goals to lead the Gold Rush. He's also assisted on 10 goals. 

Antonio Merola and Guilherme Domingues have added 5 goals apiece, with Merola contributing 8 assists and Domingues 3. 

Cumberlands' top scorers have been Samuel Dolobaipu (5 goals, 2 assists) and Bruno Marques (5 goals). 

The full NAIA tournament field can be viewed here or on the organization's website.