LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama men's soccer team closes out the regular season Friday, October 23, traveling to Nashville, Tennessee, to face No. 13 Trevecca Nazarene in a Gulf South Conference showdown. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Tigers enter the regular-season finale at 6-5-4 overall and 4-2-3 in GSC play, riding a three-match winning streak. West Alabama sits fourth in the conference standings with 15 points and can clinch a home match in the first round of the GSC Men's Soccer Tournament with a victory over the Trojans.
Trevecca Nazarene enters Friday's matchup at 11-1-2 overall and 6-1-2 in conference play. The Trojans are tied atop the GSC standings with AUM at 20 points and can secure the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament with a win. With postseason positioning on the line, the matchup could also play a role in the races for GSC Player of the Year and GSC Freshman of the Year.
Series History
West Alabama holds a 1-0-1 advantage in the all-time series against Trevecca Nazarene. The Tigers won the most recent meeting, earning a 5-1 victory in Livingston last season.
David Nunez and Luke Jovanovich each found the back of the net in that contest, as West Alabama looks to carry its recent success against the Trojans into Friday's decisive conference matchup.
Scouting West Alabama
The Tigers enter the finale with one of the conference's most productive offensive players in David Nunez, who is in contention for GSC Player of the Year. Nunez has recorded 16 goals and six assists for 38 points through 15 matches, leading West Alabama in goals, assists, points and shots. He has registered 34 shots on target and scored two game-winning goals.
Nunez recently made history with a hat trick in West Alabama's 4-1 comeback victory over Mississippi Christian, setting the program's single-season records for goals and points. He will look to continue his record-setting campaign against a Trevecca defense that has allowed just 13 goals this season.
Jesper Bakli has contributed seven goals and five assists for 19 points, while Florian Laot, a candidate for GSC Freshman of the Year, has scored six goals and added five assists for 17 points. Laot has put 14 of his 18 shots on target and recorded two game-winning goals.
Daniele Ciarlesi and Oisin Griffin have each scored three goals, while Mathias Ibanez has added two goals and two assists. Yabsira Cobo has contributed five assists, providing another creative option in the Tigers' attack.
In goal, Dan Erez has started all 15 matches for West Alabama, logging more than 1,300 minutes. Erez has recorded 45 saves with a .662 save percentage and a 1.59 goals-against average. He has also posted two shutouts while helping the Tigers allow 24 goals through 15 matches.
Scouting Trevecca Nazarene
The No. 13 Trojans are led offensively by Chris Douglas, who is also in contention for GSC Player of the Year. Douglas has scored 15 goals and added five assists for 35 points in 12 appearances. He leads Trevecca in goals and points, has recorded 22 shots on target and has scored four game-winning goals.
Daniel Shiel has added eight goals and five assists for 21 points, while Zion Jones has scored four goals and contributed two assists. Jack Franklin and Levi Jones have each added two goals, giving the Trojans several additional scoring options.
In the midfield, Haden Brown, a candidate for GSC Freshman of the Year, has recorded one goal and a team-high nine assists for 11 points. Brown's playmaking ability will be an important factor for the Trojans as they look to secure the top seed in the conference tournament.
Trevecca has been strong defensively, allowing just 13 goals through 14 matches. Goalkeeper Hunter Walker has started all 14 contests, recording 59 saves, a .819 save percentage and a 0.93 goals-against average. Walker has also posted seven shutouts while helping the Trojans compile an 11-1-2 record.
GSC Standings
Trevecca Nazarene and AUM enter the final stretch of the regular season tied atop the GSC standings with 20 points and matching 6-1-2 conference records. A victory Friday would clinch the No. 1 seed for the Trojans.
West Alabama sits fourth with 15 points, tied with Montevallo, and has already secured a place in the GSC Men's Soccer Tournament. A win over Trevecca Nazarene would guarantee the Tigers a home match in the first round of the tournament, adding further significance to the regular-season finale.
With conference tournament positioning and individual honors in the spotlight, Friday's matchup offers a major test for both sides as the regular season comes to a close.
West Alabama travels to Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday, October 23, to face No. 13 Trevecca Nazarene in its regular-season finale. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
