Bulldogs Capture Back-to-Back AAC Regular-Season Titles with Undefeated Campaigns
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bluefield (VA) (1-13-1, 0-10-1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Union Commonwealth (10-2-4, 9-0-3) | 7 | 5 | 12 |
BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - Union Commonwealth University's men's soccer team (10-2-4, 9-0-3 AAC) defeated Bluefield (1-13-1, 0-10-1 AAC) on Wednesday at Williamson Stadium, 12-0.
With the win, the Bulldogs secured the AAC regular-season championship title. It marks the first time in program history that Union has claimed back-to-back AAC regular-season crowns while finishing undefeated in conference play for the second straight year.
By winning the AAC title, the Bulldogs also earned an automatic berth to the NAIA National Tournament.
Game Recap
First Half: UNION COMMONWEALTH 7, BLUEFIELD 0
The Bulldogs came out on the front foot, pressing hard from the opening whistle. Just three minutes in, Ron-Jay Watson found the back of the net for his third goal of the season, giving Union an early lead off an assist from Gianni Loska.
Barely three minutes later, Watson struck again—this time connecting midair on a long cross from Takuma Kiuchi to double the Bulldogs' advantage.
Zak Hardman extended the lead in the 15th minute with his third goal of the season, assisted by Watson. A minute later, Watson completed his hat trick off a setup from Akim Soulemana, marking the first hat trick of the season and the most goals Union has scored in a half this year.
Hardman added his second of the match in the 22nd minute, with Soulemana providing the assist to make it 5–0. Laurin Fürmeier joined the scoring in the 32nd minute off another assist from Watson, and Eduardo Ribeiro closed out the half in the 35th with a goal assisted by Watson—his third assist of the match to go along with his hat trick.
Second Half: UNION COMMONWEALTH 12, BLUEFIELD 0
To open the second half, Carlos Sainz converted a penalty kick for his first career goal, extending Union's commanding lead. Less than a minute later, Ethan Kemp netted his first career goal for the Bulldogs.
In the 81st minute, Samuel Odame added his name to the scoresheet with his first goal in a Union uniform, pushing the lead to 10–0. Moments later, Jacob Knight tallied his first goal of the season off an assist from Titus Craig.
The Bulldogs capped the scoring with a penalty from Idi Zahinda—his first career goal at Union—to make it 12–0.
Union dominated offensively, outshooting Bluefield 34–1 with 19 shots on target. Goalkeepers Gabriel Mendoza and Dennis Böttcher combined for the shutout, marking the Bulldogs' 12th clean sheet of the season—tying the program record set in 2015–16.
The Bulldogs remain ranked among the top two NAIA teams in defense.
To check out the Access Health Man of the Match, click here.
Up Next
The Bulldogs await the AAC Tournament announcement, set to enter postseason play as the No. 1 seed.
