HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Sixth-seed West Alabama won the 2026 Gulf South Conference Men’s Soccer Championship, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to knock off top-seed Trevecca Nazarene University, 3-2, to claim the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Championship.
The Tigers captured their fifth Championship trophy in 11 appearances, and first since 2017. It is the first title won by a No. 6 seed since the tournament expanded from four teams in 2014. Trevecca Nazarene made its first-ever appearance in the Championship final.
BOX SCORE | CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
Trevecca took an early 1-0 lead in the seventh minute, when GSC Offensive Player of the Year Chris Douglas played a give-and-go to Jack Franklin, running through the box before receiving a return pass and tapping it in from the back post. Douglas’ goal was his NCAA-leading 20th of the season and fourth of the tournament, tying the GSC Men’s Soccer Championship record. His eight points finished one shy of the GSC record. Franklin stole the ball and scored the Trojans’ second goal in the 30th minute.
Trailing 2-0 at the half, UWA came out on the attack, led by First Team All-GSC forward David Nunez. In the 50th minute, Jesper Bekli had a quick takeaway to feed Nunez for the Tigers’ first goal of the game. An offside call in the 66th minute waved off a potential neutralizer for the Tigers, but Kevin Garcia finished the job less than a minute later, tying the game, 2-2.
Garcia had a breakaway in the 76th minute, but was tripped in the box, setting up a penalty kick for Nunez. The senior from Spain buried the PK to give the Tigers a 3-2 lead and score his 20th goal of the season to tie Douglas as the top NCAA Division II goal scorer of the season.
UWA goalkeeper Dan Erez finished with three saves, while TNU keeper and GSC Defensive Player of the Year Hunter Walker had seven.
Nunez was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. He was joined on the All-Tournament Team by teammates Garcia, Erez, and Oisin Griffin. Trevecca Nazarene was represented by Douglas, Franklin, and Manuel Alonso. AUM placed Benjamin Hoffmann and Malik Maud, while Lee was represented by Marcos Garcia and Matias Milla Munoz.
The Tigers win moves UWA to 2-1-1 all-time against Trevecca, avenging a 2-1 loss at Trevecca in October, the only loss in the last 57 days. UWA (9-6-4) is 8-1-3 since mid-September. Trevecca sits at 14-2-2 as it awaits its postseason fate.
GSC teams will now tune into the NCAA Selection Show set on Monday, Nov. 9 at 5:30 p.m. CT at NCAA.com. The Gulf South has been represented by two teams in the NCAA Tournament five of the last six seasons.
2026 GSC Men’s Soccer All-Tournament Team
David Nunez, West Alabama (MOP)
Dan Erez, West Alabama
Kevin Garcia, West Alabama
Oisin Griffin, West Alabama
Manuel Alonso, Trevecca Nazarene
Chris Douglas, Trevecca Nazarene
Jack Franklin, Trevecca Nazarene
Benjamin Hoffmann, AUM
Malik Maud, AUM
Marcos Garcia, Lee
Matias Milla Munoz, Lee
2026 GSC Men's Soccer Championship
Quarterfinals | Saturday, Oct. 31 – Campus Sites
at #1 Trevecca Nazarene 3, #8 Mississippi Christian 1
at #2 AUM 3, #7 Christian Brothers 1
at #3 UAH 3, #6 West Alabama 4
at #4 Montevallo 0, #5 Lee 2
Semifinals | Thursday, Nov. 5 – Huntsville, Ala
#1 Trevecca Nazarene 1, #5 Lee 0 (OT)
#6 West Alabama 2, #2 AUM 0
Championship | Saturday, Nov. 7 – Huntsville, Ala.
#6 West Alabama 3, #1 Trevecca Nazarene 2