LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The emotion of playing in a big conference game came to the forefront for the West Alabama men's soccer team when they played in-state rival Montevallo on Sunday night. When the dust settled, the Tigers scored the only goal of the game to claim the 1-0 victory over the Falcons to keep their place at the top of the GSC standings. It was Senior Day for the Tigers as the four seniors, Peter Oyetunji, Richard Lopez, Oliver Johnson and Alex Fernandez, were honored before the game.

It was a tight battle with the teams combining for 22 shots (13 by Montevallo) and 33 fouls, along with six cards that were handed out. Four yellow cards and two red cards were issued in the game with three yellow cards being given to the Tigers. Each team received a red card.

UWA (5-2-5, 5-0-4 GSC) delivered the only goal of the game in the second half. After Adrian Evrard just made a run and took a shot that was saved from the left side of the box, Patrick Sacher then vaulted the Tigers to the win. Evrard this time sent a perfect chip pass into the box and Sacher was able to elevate among two or three Montevallo players, including the goalie, to get a header on target for his fifth goal of the season in the 63^rd minute.

Shortly after that, things got a little chippy on the pitch. A yellow card was handed out in the 70^th minute and then just two minutes after that, the game was stopped when a skirmish broke out that left each team with a red card.

Chances were limited for both teams after that until the Falcons (6-3-3, 5-3 GSC) had a chance in the 85^th minute off of a free kick that hit the crossbar. Shortly after that, another chance went high and another was blocked before UWA was able to claim the 1-0 victory.

Early on, Montevallo generated a couple of strong chances. In the 11^th minute, a shot on target was saved by Harry Deveney. In the 15^th minute, a rocket of a shot by Edort Cabieces Sanz hit the right post and stayed out for the Falcons.

Richard Lopez had a shot on target in the 21^st minute that was saved. UWA nearly took the lead in the 36^th minute on a chance by Peter Oyetunji that went just wide.

Over the final minutes of the opening half, Deveney turned away another chance to keep the game scoreless at the break.

Leading up to the go-ahead goal, Deveney made another save in the 52^nd minute after both teams missed chances wide.

Evrard led UWA with three shots (one on goal). Sacher added two shots (one on goal). Oyetunji also collected two shots. Deveney, Yannick Pohland, Shane Pettit, Ellis Williamson, Lopez and Baronyi Kengeye played all 90 minutes. Deveney made three saves in net for his seventh shutout of the season.

Five players tallied two shots each to lead Montevallo, with Gabriele Valerio, Mario Gratzl and Hugo Cakurda all putting one shot on goal. In net, Salvador Plaza started and made two saves over the first 71-plus minutes before receiving a red card. Jonah Sidanycz played the final 18-plus minutes.

UWA, one-point clear of West Florida for first-place in the GSC standings, will play Alabama Huntsville this coming Saturday on the road starting at 7 p.m. The game won't count in the GSC standings. UWA won't return to conference play until Oct. 21 at Lee.