LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The sixth-seeded University of West Alabama men's soccer team is one win away from a Gulf South Conference Championship as the Tigers prepare for a championship rematch against the top-seeded and No. 7 nationally ranked Trevecca Nazarene Trojans on Saturday, November 7. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Alabama.
West Alabama enters the championship match at 8-6-4 overall and 4-3-3 in GSC play after earning a 2-0 semifinal victory over second-seeded and No. 14 nationally ranked Auburn-Montgomery. The Tigers have now taken down the second and third seeds in consecutive tournament matches to secure their place in the conference championship.
Trevecca Nazarene comes into the title match at 14-1-2 overall and 7-1-2 in conference play. The Trojans advanced with a 1-0 overtime victory over fifth-seeded Lee University in the semifinals.
Series History
The all-time series between West Alabama and Trevecca Nazarene is tied at 1-1-1. The Trojans claimed the most recent meeting, earning a 2-1 victory over the Tigers in the regular-season finale.
Saturday's championship presents an immediate opportunity for West Alabama to even the season series and claim the GSC Tournament title.
Scouting West Alabama
The Tigers enter the championship with an experienced offensive group led by David Nunez, who has recorded 18 goals and eight assists for 44 points through 18 matches. Nunez leads the team in goals, assists, points and shots with 64, including 39 on target. He also has three game-winning goals this season.
Florian Laot has added eight goals and six assists for 22 points, while Jesper Bakli has contributed eight goals and five assists for 21 points. Laot has recorded 17 shots on goal on 21 attempts, while Bakli has put 20 of his 32 shots on target.
Daniele Ciarlesi has added three goals and two assists, while Oisin Griffin has contributed three goals and one assist. Mathias Ibanez has recorded two goals and two assists, and Aidan Riley has added two goals and two assists, including the insurance goal in Thursday's semifinal win over AUM.
Yabsira Cobo leads the Tigers in additional playmaking production with five assists, while Luke Jovanovich has contributed three assists. Jovanovich assisted Riley's late goal against the Warhawks.
In goal, Dan Erez has started all 18 matches for West Alabama, logging 1,571 minutes. Erez has recorded 57 saves with a .671 save percentage and a 1.60 goals-against average. He has also posted three shutouts while helping the Tigers earn eight victories.
Scouting Trevecca Nazarene
The Trojans bring one of the nation's most productive offenses into Saturday's championship, led by Chris Douglas, who has scored 19 goals and added five assists for 43 points in 15 appearances. Douglas leads Trevecca in goals, points and shots with 50, while also recording seven game-winning goals.
Daniel Shiel has contributed eight goals and five assists for 21 points, while Haden Brown has provided one goal and a team-high nine assists for 11 points. Zion Jones has added four goals and three assists, while Judah Jones has recorded one goal and eight assists.
Jack Franklin has contributed three goals and three assists for nine points, giving the Trojans another attacking option. Trevecca's offensive depth will present a challenge for the West Alabama defense throughout the championship matchup.
In goal, Hunter Walker has started all 17 matches for the Trojans, recording 67 saves with a .817 save percentage and a 0.88 goals-against average. Walker has allowed 15 goals and posted eight shutouts while helping Trevecca compile a 14-1-2 record.
All-GSC Recognition
Both programs enter the championship with several players recognized among the conference's top performers.
Trevecca Nazarene had six players named to the All-GSC teams. Haden Brown, Chris Douglas, Hunter Walker and Jack Franklin earned First Team All-GSC honors, while Judah Jones and Daniel Shiel were named to the Second Team. Douglas was selected as GSC Player of the Year, Walker earned GSC Defensive Player of the Year, and head coach Danny Leavy was named GSC Coach of the Year.
West Alabama had four players earn All-GSC recognition. Oisin Griffin, Florian Laot and David Nunezwere named First Team All-GSC, while Jesper Bakli earned Second Team honors. Laot was also selected as the GSC Freshman of the Year following his standout debut season.
Championship Matchup
Saturday's contest features a Trevecca Nazarene team that has won 14 matches and allowed just 15 goals against a West Alabama squad that has battled through the tournament's top seeds to reach the championship.
The Tigers will look to build on their defensive performance against AUM while finding opportunities against a Trojans side led by Douglas and Shiel. With the conference championship on the line, West Alabama will have a chance to avenge its regular-season finale loss and finish its postseason run with a GSC title.
West Alabama faces top-seeded and No. 7 nationally ranked Trevecca Nazarene in the Gulf South Conference Men's Soccer Championship on Saturday, November 7, at 12 p.m. CT at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Alabama.
