LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama men's soccer team was represented by a pair of Tigers on the 2026 Gulf South Conference Preseason All-GSC Team, as senior forward David Nunez, and graduate defender Oisin Griffin earned preseason honors, the conference announced. Along with the recognition, the Tigers were picked sixth in the GSC Preseason Poll.
The preseason recognition comes as the Tigers prepare for the 2026 campaign under head coach Ross Nelson, who enters his sixth season leading the program. UWA will look to build on a strong 2025 season while returning two of its key contributors in Nunez and Griffin.
Nunez enters his senior season as one of the Tigers' most accomplished offensive players. The forward was named First Team All-GSC and earned D2CCA Second Team All-Region honors following a standout 2025 campaign.
In 2025, Nunez started all 15 matches for UWA and led the Tigers with 10 goals in 1,254 minutes. He recorded multiple-goal performances against Lee and Delta State while registering three game-winning goals against Lee, Spring Hill, and Delta State. His performance throughout the season also earned him GSC Player of the Week honors in Sept. 23, 2025.
Nunez has continued to make an impact throughout his UWA career. After three seasons, he has appeared in 45 matches with 38 starts, totaling 19 goals, 10 assists and 48 points on 83 shots, including 44 shots on goal.
The native of Gijon, Spain arrived at UWA as the 2023 GSC Freshman of the Year and earned GSC Freshman of the Week honors twice during his freshman campaign. As a freshman, he recorded three goals and four assists for 10 points in 15 matches. He followed that with six goals, four assists and 16 points in 2024, including two game-winning goals.
Joining Nunez on the preseason All-GSC team is Griffin, who returns for his graduate season after serving as a leader of the Tigers' back line.
Griffin started all 15 matches for West Alabama during the 2025 season and served as a team captain. He logged 1,321 minutes as a starting defender, playing at least 90 minutes in 12 of UWA's 15 matches. Griffin also contributed three assists while helping anchor the Tigers defensively and earned a spot on the GSC Honor Roll.
The Tigers will rely on the experience of both Nunez and Griffin as they enter the 2026 season, with the pair providing leadership on both ends of the field. Nunez's scoring ability and Griffin's defensive presence will be key pieces for UWA as the Tigers look to make another push in the Gulf South Conference.
The 2026 season will mark the beginning of another chapter for the Tigers, with Nunez and Griffin leading the way as two of UWA's preseason All-GSC selections.
