LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama men's soccer team continues its postseason run Thursday, November 5, traveling to Huntsville, Alabama, to face the No. 2-seeded Auburn-Montgomery Warhawks in the Gulf South Conference Championship semifinals. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex.
The sixth-seeded Tigers enter the semifinal round at 7-6-4 overall after earning a 4-3 victory over No. 3 seed Alabama-Huntsville in the quarterfinals. West Alabama will look to carry that momentum into Thursday's matchup and earn a place in the GSC Championship game.
AUM enters the contest at 11-2-3 overall and 7-1-2 in conference play after defeating No. 7 seed Christian Brothers, 3-1, in its quarterfinal matchup. The Warhawks are ranked No. 14 nationally and have been one of the conference's strongest defensive teams throughout the season.
Series History
West Alabama leads the all-time series against Auburn-Montgomery, 4-3-6. The recent meetings between the programs have been tightly contested, with each of the last three matchups ending in a 2-2 draw.
The most recent meeting came October 7 in Montgomery, where the Tigers and Warhawks played to a 2-2 tie. West Alabama will look to break the recent deadlock and earn a pivotal postseason victory Thursday.
Scouting West Alabama
The Tigers enter the semifinal round as the Gulf South Conference's top-scoring team, having recorded 47 goals and 37 assists for 131 points through 17 matches. West Alabama leads the conference in goals scored and ranks among the league leaders with 222 shots and 130 shots on goal.
David Nunez leads the Tigers' offensive attack with 18 goals and seven assists for 43 points. Nunez currently leads Division II in total points and is tied for first nationally in total goals. He has recorded 63 shots, including 38 on target, and has three game-winning goals. Nunez was named First Team All-GSC following his record-setting season.
Jesper Bakli has added eight goals and five assists for 21 points, while Florian Laot has contributed seven goals and six assists for 20 points. Bakli earned Second Team All-GSC recognition, while Laot was named First Team All-GSC and GSC Freshman of the Year.
Daniele Ciarlesi has recorded three goals and two assists, while Oisin Griffin has added three goals and one assist. Griffin also earned First Team All-GSC honors. Yabsira Cobo has contributed five assists, providing another playmaking option for the Tigers.
In goal, Dan Erez has started all 17 matches for West Alabama, recording 54 saves with a .659 save percentage and a 1.70 goals-against average. Erez has also posted two shutouts while helping the Tigers earn seven victories this season.
Scouting Auburn-Montgomery
The Warhawks enter Thursday's semifinal with an 11-2-3 overall record and a 7-1-2 mark in GSC play. AUM has allowed just 13 goals through 16 matches, ranking among the conference's top defensive teams with a 0.81 goals-against average.
Offensively, Benjamin Hoffmann leads the Warhawks with six goals and two assists for 14 points. He has recorded 56 shots, including 26 on target, and provides a consistent scoring threat. Hoffmann earned Second Team All-GSC honors.
Alan De Paula, a First Team All-GSC selection, has contributed three goals and one assist. Jaden McKree has also recorded three goals and one assist, while Mikayil Bacar Said and Nathan Le Roux have each added two goals and two assists.
Malik Mawd leads AUM with four assists, while Brennan Greer has contributed two goals and one assist. The Warhawks have totaled 24 goals and 18 assists this season.
In goal, Jakob Buhrkuhl has been a major part of AUM's defensive success. The First Team All-GSC goalkeeper has started all 14 matches in which he has appeared, recording 46 saves with a .807 save percentage and a 0.79 goals-against average. Buhrkuhl has also posted eight shutouts, ranking among the nation's leaders in that category.
GSC Statistical Leaders
West Alabama enters the semifinal as the conference's top offensive team with 47 goals, averaging 2.76 goals per match. The Tigers also lead the GSC in total shots with 222 and rank first in goals per game.
Nunez leads the conference with 18 goals and 43 points, while also ranking second in total shots with 63. He is tied for first nationally in goals and currently leads Division II in points. Laot ranks among the conference's top playmakers with six assists, while Bakli has contributed 21 points.
AUM presents a different challenge, relying on a strong defensive foundation. The Warhawks have allowed just 13 goals and carry a team save percentage of .814. Buhrkuhl's .807 individual save percentage and eight shutouts make him one of the conference's top goalkeepers.
Thursday's matchup features the GSC's most productive offense against one of its strongest defensive units. The Tigers will look to use their scoring depth and attacking pressure to challenge the Warhawks' back line, while AUM will aim to slow down a West Alabama attack led by Nunez, Bakli and Laot.
West Alabama travels to Huntsville, Alabama, on Thursday, November 5, to face No. 2 seed Auburn-Montgomery in the GSC Men's Soccer Championship semifinals. The sixth-seeded Tigers and second-seeded Warhawks are scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. at the Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex.
