LIVINGSTON, Ala. — The University of West Alabama men's soccer team opens its 2026 campaign Thursday, Aug. 27, welcoming the University of Tampa to the UWA Soccer Field for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
The Tigers enter the new season looking to build on a 5-8-2 campaign in 2025, including a 5-5-1 record in Gulf South Conference play. Head coach Ross Nelson, entering his eighth season at the helm, will look to guide West Alabama back up the GSC standings after the Tigers were selected sixth in the conference's 2026 preseason poll.
New Faces Add Depth
West Alabama welcomes 15 newcomers to the roster, including three players named to the GSC Newcomers Watchlist: defender Jack Porter, forward Yabsira Cobo and midfielder Florian Laot.
Porter, an English defender from Carlisle, United Kingdom, joins the Tigers from Carlisle United's U18 academy. Cobo brings an extensive club background from Luarca CF in Spain, where the Gijón native recorded 12 goals across six seasons and 7,777 minutes. Laot joins West Alabama from OC Cesson in France after appearing in 22 matches over two seasons.
The Tigers also add several players with collegiate experience. Junior defender Ethan Sharpe transfers from Copiah-Lincoln Community College after starting all 16 matches in 2025, recording one goal and one assist, with his goal serving as a game winner.
Goalkeeper Dan Erez comes to Livingston from Hapoel Tel Aviv's U19 squad in Israel after making 12 starts and recording 22 saves over two seasons. Midfielder Ammar Nazih adds experience from Pellissippi State Community College, where he recorded two goals and two assists in 16 appearances last season.
Up front, Daniele Ciarlesi brings a strong club résumé from Germany after scoring eight goals and adding an assist in 26 matches last season. Jesper Jorgensen Bakli also joins the Tigers after two seasons at San Jose State, where he recorded one goal and two assists.
Experienced Core Returns
While the newcomers provide added depth, the Tigers return several key pieces from last year's squad.
Senior forward David Nunez leads the returning attack after a standout 2025 season. Nunez earned First Team All-GSCand D2CCA Second Team All-Region honors after leading West Alabama with 10 goals in 15 starts. He also recorded three game-winning goals and earned GSC Player of the Week honors.
Nunez enters his fourth season with the Tigers having totaled 19 goals, 10 assists and 48 points across 45 career appearances. The Gijón, Spain, native was previously named the 2023 GSC Freshman of the Year.
Defensively, graduate defender and team captain Oisin Griffin returns after starting all 15 matches in 2025. Griffin logged 1,321 minutes, playing at least 90 minutes in 12 contests while contributing three assists and earning GSC Honor Roll recognition.
The Tigers will also look for continued development from returners including Gabriel Capocci, Luke Jovanovich, Benicio Aronow and Kevin Garcia.
Tampa Opens the Season in Livingston
Tampa enters Thursday's matchup following a 6-5-4 overall record in 2025 and a sixth-place selection in the 2026 Sunshine State Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Spartans return several experienced players, led by senior goalkeeper Alex Hare, who started all 15 matches last season. Hare posted a 6-5-4 record with a 1.00 goals-against average, .737 save percentage and four shutouts.
Graduate midfielder Dion Ruffo Luci returns as Tampa's leading returning scorer after recording two goals and four points in 10 appearances last season. Senior midfielder Felix Poschmann added one goal and one assist across 11 matches.
Tampa also returns experienced defenders and midfielders, including Leonard Bogeskar, Christian Fairchild, Henrik Fosvold and Tommaso Polidori.
The Spartans will provide an early test for a West Alabama squad blending an experienced returning core with a talented group of newcomers.
Series History
Thursday's matchup will mark the third meeting all-time between West Alabama and Tampa, with the Spartans holding a 2-0 advantage in the series. The teams last met on Sept. 10, 2021, with Tampa earning a 4-0 victory over the Tigers in Morrow, Georgia.
West Alabama will look to earn its first victory over the Spartans when the two teams meet again for the first time in nearly five years, this time on the Tigers' home field.
Opening Kickoff
The Tigers and Spartans meet for the first time in the 2026 season with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, at the UWA Soccer Field.
West Alabama will look to establish its identity early as Nelson begins his eighth season leading the program and the Tigers begin their pursuit of a stronger finish in the Gulf South Conference.
The 2026 season starts Thursday night in Livingston.
