CLEVELAND, Ga. – Truett McConnell men's soccer looks to defend their 3-0 conference record and 1-0-1 home record against the nationally ranked No. 19 Union Commonwealth University Bulldogs at the TMU Soccer Complex on Saturday. 
 
The Bears and Bulldogs are set to compete in what could end up being the most anticipated Truett McConnell matchup of the 2026 season as the two hottest offenses in the Appalachian Athletic Conference clash. TMU leads the conference in goals scored with 27, contributing to a 3.86 goals per game average and a goal differential of +19. Union Commonwealth sit at 21 goals on the year, with a 2.63 average and +16 differential.
 
Both squads possess notable defensive sides as well. Truett McConnell and Union Commonwealth have each conceded just one goal in conference play through three games. Saturday's fixture will feature a new test for the Bulldogs though, as they will be without their 2025 AAC Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and third team NAIA All-American. Senior Tyrique Bailey-Edwards was called up to the men's national team for Barbados ahead of the CONCACAF Nations League leaving a vacancy in the Bulldogs' defense.
 
Attacker Akim Soulemana will hope to offset the absence after a stretch of performances to open conference play that included three goals and two assists, good for AAC offensive player of the week honors as well as fifth place in the conference in total goals with six on the season.
 
Senior Marco Mandelka will be tasked with anchoring the Bears defense against the capable Bulldogs. TMU is coming off a stretch of 22 goals scored without conceding before finally bending in the 88^th minute on Wednesday against Tennessee Wesleyan. Keeper Jakob Hendrickson is making his case for Most Improved Bear with a 0.38 goals against average (1^st in AAC) and .833 save percentage (2^nd in AAC) in his first year as a collegiate starter.