SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Truett McConnell University men's soccer (12-2-2 overall, 11-1-0 AAC) are 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference Regular Season Co-Champions, confirmed after a 2-1 win over the Spartanburg Methodist College Pioneers (6-8-4 overall, 4-4-4 AAC) at Nash Soccer Field on Saturday. 
 
The Bears make history as the first Truett McConnell men's soccer team to finish as regular season champions in the AAC. They finished tied for the most wins in the conference with Union Commonwealth at 11 victories, but due to the Bears' 3-2 result over the Bulldogs in September, TMU earned the tiebreaker for the scenario and have secured the top seed in next week's AAC tournament, as well as the coveted NAIA national tournament bid. Truett McConnell is now destined for its first NAIA men's soccer national tournament appearance since 2017.
 
TMU wasted no time at Nash Soccer Field, opening the contest with a strong strike by Pablo Farrona within the first 15 seconds that barely missed the woodwork to set the tone early. Farrona would get another chance at the back of the net just 11 minutes later, this time making good on his efforts, burying a final-third cross from Hudson Reynolds for the contest's first goal. The senior Spaniard finished the 2026 regular season with nine goals and 11 assists.
 
Jovica Lazarevic added crucial insurance to the Bears' early lead in the 20^th minute with his 14^th goal of the season off a pass from Carlos Ruiz. The Serbian recorded the most goals of any AAC player in the 2026 regular season.
 
Spartanburg Methodist would bring itself back within striking distance before the end of the half thanks to Steve Ouattara's fourth goal of the season created by Jahmarli Connor in the 39^th minute. 
 
Truett McConnell outshot Spartanburg Methodist 7-4 in the first frame while Pioneers keeper Miles Mullen recorded all three of the contest's first half saves.
 
The final 45 minutes featured staunch defense from both sides. The Pioneers poured on seven shots to the Bears' three, but neither side were able to make their way past the opposing final lines. Seth Hendrickson provided heroics in the 55^th minute, sliding in to deny Ouattara's attempt while serving as the only man left between the attacker and goal. Keeper Jakob Hendrickson recorded three critical saves, including a diving effort at 84:18 to keep Pioneer Max Charleston out of the bottom left corner. These moments were pivotal as a draw would not have been enough for Truett McConnell to maintain their top seed in the AAC tournament and automatic NAIA tournament bid.
 
Truett McConnell is now poised to host their fixture in the first round of the AAC tournament as they will take on the Columbia International University Rams at the TMU Soccer Complex on Tuesday. The two battled to a 2-1 Bears win in Columbia S.C. earlier this month. Match start time will be announced Sunday.