Link to Spring Championship Series Tournament Page

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The Union University men's soccer team claimed the Gulf South Conference Spring Championship Series Title Saturday afternoon 1-0 over Christian Brothers University. This is the first conference title of any kind in the history of Union men's soccer dating back to the inaugural season of 1998. 

The game was played at John Hunt Soccer Complex, a neutral site chosen by the GSC. Union finished the year 6-1 overall, while CBU ended with a 3-3-1 record. 

Union head coach Steven Cox said, "I am proud of what this group has accomplished over the past four years. Our guys have worked incredibly hard and deserved to get a result today. Our staff has worked very hard to develop a unique culture here at Union. We are going to enjoy this championship and also look forward to the future of soccer at Union."

Union made its first GSC Tournament appearance last season, falling in the first round. This 2021 Spring Championship Series Tournament marked the deepest postseason run for Union men's soccer since joining the GSC/NCAA in 2012. Overall, Union had four TranSouth Conference Tournament title game appearances, finishing runner-up all four times. 
 
Union, the No. 2 seed from group A, knocked off No. 3B Lee 3-1 and No. 4A West Alabama 1-0, both at home to advance to the championship game. Christian Brothers, the No. 3A seed, posted two upsets to advance to the title game, 3-3 in shootout over No. 2B UAH and 3-1 over No. 1A Mississippi College. 

Neither team scored in the first half, with Christian Brothers outshooting Union 6-2 int the first 45 minutes. 

It did not take long for momentum to swing to Union's favor. Just three minutes into the second half, Union's Mats Fredriksen scored the game's only goal. Gavin Scott provided the assist for Fredriksen's goal. CBU still outshot Union in the second half, but just 6-5 with Union able to connect on one of those shots. 

Scott finished with two shots to lead Union. Five other players for Union each recorded one shot, including Fredriksen's game winning goal. 

Botond Nemeth played all 90 minutes in goal, recording seven saves for his third shutout of the season. 

Union put four players on the SCS All-Tournament team including Scott, Fredriksen, Nemeth and William Valencia. Scott was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Scott scored two goals with one assist in the three tournament games. His one goal each versus Lee and West Alabama in the first two rounds both were game winning goals. 

The 1-0 win for Union over CBU was the second time Union knocked off CBU 1-0, the first coming in the regular season back on March 6 at home.

The Spring Championship Series was played during the Spring of 2021 because the normal fall season was canceled by the NCAA due to COVID. This championship will be recorded in the history of the league and school but will not be considered as a GSC Championship. 

-UNION-