JACKSON, Tenn. — October 14, 2026 — Christian Brothers University men's soccer delivered a strong first-half performance Wednesday night, scoring three goals before halftime to earn a 3-1 victory over Union University at Smith Memorial Soccer Complex.
The Buccaneers established control early, with AJ Bowman, Ethan Shanahan and Lauri Orava each finding the back of the net in the opening 27 minutes. CBU's three-goal advantage proved decisive as the team navigated a challenging second half after being reduced to 10 players.
Bowman opened the scoring in the 17th minute, finishing a play assisted by Christopher Armitage to give the Buccaneers a 1-0 lead. Just over three minutes later, Bowman turned provider, setting up Shanahan for CBU's second goal in the 21st minute.
The Buccaneers continued their attacking momentum in the 27th minute when Orava converted a pass from Wouter Ederveen to extend the advantage to 3-0. The three-goal outburst highlighted CBU's ability to capitalize on its opportunities and build an early cushion on the road.
Union looked to respond before halftime, but CBU carried its three-goal lead into the break. The Buccaneers faced an additional challenge late in the opening half when Ederveen received a red card in the 41st minute, leaving CBU to play the remainder of the match a player down.
With the numerical advantage, Union increased its attacking pressure after halftime. Goalkeeper Noah Djebali helped CBU maintain its lead, recording five saves across 90 minutes as the Bulldogs worked to get back into the contest.
Despite the increased pressure, the Buccaneers continued to generate opportunities of their own, finishing with 18 shots, including eight on target. CBU's defensive effort limited Union to one goal until the closing stages of the match.
Union broke through in the 84th minute when Freddie Westfall scored off a sequence involving Decker Burns and Lewis Harding, cutting the deficit to 3-1. CBU, however, maintained its two-goal advantage through the final whistle to secure the road win.
Bowman led the Buccaneers' scoring effort with a goal and an assist, while Shanahan and Orava each added a goal. Armitage and Ederveen recorded assists, and Djebali's five-save performance helped anchor the result.
The victory showcased CBU's attacking efficiency in the first half and its ability to manage a difficult second-half situation on the road. The Buccaneers' three goals in the opening 27 minutes ultimately provided the difference as Christian Brothers left Jackson with a 3-1 win over Union.
