JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University men's soccer team made history Saturday at Smith Soccer Complex. The Bulldogs defeated the University of Montevallo 5-2 in a winner-take-all last regular season match of the year, earning a spot in next weeks Gulf South Conference Tournament. Union improved to 8-7 overall and finished the regular season with a 5-6 GSC record. Montevallo ends its season 6-9-2 on the season and 4-6-1 in league play.
 
Union now advances to the GSC Tournament for the first time in their short GSC history dating back to 2012. Union will be the No. 8 seed in the 8-team tournament and will travel to top-seeded Mississippi College, Tuesday, November 12 at 1:30 p.m. Union played at Mississippi College back on October 11 in a rain-soaked 3-0 loss. Mississippi College is ranked No. 4 in the region and is receiving votes in the national coaches' poll.
 
Union head coach Steven Cox said, "I am very proud of our guys! WE played incredibly well collectively as a group, we moved the ball well, creating 26 shots and five goals. Our seniors have worked very hard this season. It was great to see them clinch the first GSC Tournament appearance at home on senior night."
 
In Union's clinching win over Montevallo, Union scored first with a goal from Gavin Scott in the 26th minute of play when he used a diving header to push the ball to the lower left of the goal. Billy Grogan and William Valencia earned the assists. Just prior to the end of the half, Union struck again with a goal from Jacob Greene in the 43rd minute, assisted by Valencia. Union held a comfortable 2-0 lead at the half, but would prove to need that cushion.  Union outshot Montevallo 8-6 in the first half.
 
In the second half, Union seemed to put the match away with a third goal to lead 3-0. In the 48th minute of play, Union's Martin Knudsen scored, assisted by Scott.
 
In the 64th minute, Montevallo got on the board with a goal by Nemanja Acimovic, assisted by Ruben Carvalho. Then, the Falcons got back in the match with a second goal, just three minutes later to cut Union's lead to 3-2 with 22 minutes left to play. Luke Garner scored for UM, assisted by Acimovic.
 
The scored stayed 3-2 until Union was able to get some insurance with Scott's second goal of the match early in the 88th minute, assisted by Felipe Firmino. Union added a fifth goal when Cole Asfour took a Grogan assist to seal the win for Union, 5-2.
 
Union outshot UM 18-7 in the second half. Overall, Union led 26-13 in shots in the match, including 14-6 on goal. Euan Morton recorded four saves in 90 minutes of work.
 
On senior night, the seniors stepped up big to help make history for Union men's soccer. Asfour recorded a goal, Firmino recorded an assist, Valencia recorded two assist, Morten had four saves in his 90 minutes in goal, and Lopes helped Union's back line limit UM opportunities. Goalie Casper Nyberg was also honored tonight as a senior. Nyberg has started six games this year.
 
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