Box Score

JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University men's soccer team earned the 2012 National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) MidEast Region Title with a 1-0 win over Covenant (Ga.) College. Union improved to 11-3-4 on the season, while Covenant ends their year at 10-10-1.
 
Union was the top seed in the region, while Covenant was seeded third.
 
Union outshot Covenant 13-10 in the game, including 9-5 in the first half. Despite several close calls from both teams, the score remained 0-0 for the majority of the half. However, with just 1:31 left in the half, Union's Alex Pratt scored on an assist from Brian Castro. Union led 1-0 at the half and made that score stand to claim the title.
 
Union's Rainer Pires recorded his fifth shutout of the season in eight starts. He has allowed just two goals in 832 minutes in goal for Union this season since taking over the starting role at the midway point. He record four saves in the match.
 
His counterpart, Shuler Polk was almost as impressive with three saves on the night, allowing just one goal in the loss.
 
Union will now play in the NCCAA National Tournament in Kissimmee, Fla., November 28 – December 1. Union men's soccer won the NCCAA National Title in 2003 when head coach Clovis Simas was a player for the Bulldogs.
 
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