Union Men’s Soccer Scores Four, Advances to Second Round of NAIA National Tournament

McKENZIE, Tenn. — Union Commonwealth University men's soccer (14-2-4) rolled past Rocky Mountain College (8-2-7) with a 4-0 victory Thursday at Walter Butler Stadium, earning its first NAIA National Championship Tournament win since 2016.

The shutout extends the Bulldogs' streak to seven consecutive clean sheets and 16 on the season.

Game Recap

First Half — Union 1, Rocky Mountain 0

Union struck early, breaking through in the sixth minute when Oriol Gásquez Pérez converted a penalty to make it 1–0. The goal marked Pérez's fourth of the season, tying him for second on the team in scoring.

Both sides registered four shots in the half, but Union's back line held firm to keep the Bears at bay.

Second Half — Union 4, Rocky Mountain 0

The Bulldogs doubled the lead less than five minutes into the second half as Ron-Jay Watson finished a setup from Laurin Fürmeier. Watson now leads UCU with seven goals on the year.

Jordan Blake added to the tally in the 58th minute, slotting home his third goal of the season off an assist from Rocco Cimino.

Union capped the scoring late when Samuel Odame netted his second goal of the year, with Blake providing the assist.

Goalkeeper Gabriel Mendoza recorded seven saves and posted his 14th shutout of the season, continuing to add to his program record.

The Bulldogs remain the top defensive unit in the NAIA, leading the nation with a 0.26 goals-against average and 16 shutouts.

Up Next

The Bulldogs will face No. 1 seed Bethel on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 12 p.m. CST in the second round of the NAIA National Tournament at Walter Butler Stadium.