LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama men's soccer team begins postseason play Saturday, October 31, traveling to Huntsville, Alabama, for a Gulf South Conference Championship quarterfinal matchup against the No. 3 seed Alabama-Huntsville Chargers. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Charger Park.
The Tigers enter the tournament as the No. 6 seed with a 6-6-4 overall record and a 4-3-3 mark in GSC play. West Alabama will look to bounce back from a 2-1 road loss to No. 13 Trevecca Nazarene in its regular-season finale and begin its postseason run with a quarterfinal victory.
UAH enters the tournament as the No. 3 seed, carrying a 10-1-3 overall record and a 6-1-3 conference mark. The Chargers have been one of the league's top defensive teams throughout the season, allowing just 11 goals in 14 matches.
Series History
The all-time series between West Alabama and Alabama-Huntsville is even at 8-8-3. However, the Chargers have won the last three meetings between the programs, including a 2-1 victory over the Tigers in Livingston on September 11.
West Alabama will look to turn the series around Saturday and earn a place in the GSC Championship semifinals.
Scouting West Alabama
The Tigers enter postseason play with one of the most productive offenses in the Gulf South Conference, ranking first in the league with 43 goals scored through 16 matches. West Alabama is averaging 2.69 goals per game and has recorded 212 shots, including 122 on target.
David Nunez leads the Tigers and the conference with 16 goals and 38 points. Nunez has added six assists while leading West Alabama with 59 shots and 35 shots on goal. He ranks among the league's top players in goals, points, shots and shots on target, providing a major scoring threat heading into the postseason.
Jesper Bakli has contributed eight goals and five assists for 21 points, while Florian Laot has added six goals and five assists for 17 points. Laot has recorded two game-winning goals and put 15 of his 19 shots on target.
Daniele Ciarlesi has added three goals and two assists, while Oisin Griffin has scored three times. Mathias Ibanez has contributed two goals and two assists, and Yabsira Cobo has provided five assists to help fuel the Tigers' attack.
In goal, Dan Erez has started all 16 matches for West Alabama, recording 50 saves with a .667 save percentage and a 1.62 goals-against average. Erez has also posted two shutouts while helping the Tigers allow 26 goals this season.
Scouting UAH
The Chargers enter the postseason with a strong defensive profile, allowing just 11 goals through 14 matches. UAH ranks third in the GSC in goals allowed and boasts a team goals-against average of 0.79.
Offensively, Oli Orzechowski leads the Chargers with 10 goals and three assists for 23 points. He has recorded 58 shots, including 33 on target, and leads the team with four game-winning goals. Orzechowski also ranks among the conference leaders in goals, shots and shots on goal.
Donovan Pruitte has contributed four goals and two assists for 10 points, while Oliver Rigby has added three goals. Stellios Starakis and Alejandro Tocino Vidal have each scored twice, providing additional scoring options for the Chargers.
Wesley Atoyebi leads UAH with six assists, while Brennan Leblanc has added four assists. The Chargers have recorded 30 goals and 21 assists through 14 matches.
In goal, Sonny Wright has been a key part of the Chargers' defensive success. Wright has started all 14 matches, recording 35 saves with a .761 save percentage and a 0.80 goals-against average. He has also posted five shutouts while helping UAH compile a 10-1-3 record.
GSC Statistical Leaders
West Alabama enters the tournament as the conference's top-scoring team with 43 goals, while UAH ranks third in goals allowed with 11. The Tigers also rank second in the league in shots with 212, while the Chargers lead the conference with 91 corner kicks.
Individually, Nunez leads the GSC with 16 goals, 38 points and 59 shots. He also ranks first in shots on goal with 35. UAH's Orzechowski follows with 10 goals and ranks second in the conference with 58 shots and 33 shots on target.
The matchup features two of the league's top offensive threats against a pair of defenses that have found success in different ways. West Alabama will look to use its scoring depth and offensive pressure to challenge a UAH defense that has allowed fewer than one goal per match.
West Alabama travels to Huntsville, Alabama, on Saturday, October 31, to face No. 3 seed Alabama-Huntsville in the GSC Men's Soccer Championship quarterfinals. The No. 6-seeded Tigers and No. 3-seeded Chargers are scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. at Charger Park.
