Gulf South Conference play is underway and the competition heats up as teams get set to battle it out for a championship.
Christian Brothers and Alabama-Huntsville went into the year as the favorites and both won their GSC openers. But nothing will come easy the rest of the way and only time will tell which team is good enough to take home the conference crown.
Below is a look at the top five teams in the league as of the final Saturday in September.
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CHRISTIAN BROTHERS
The BR-15 Buccaneers are making school history through eight games, starting 8-0 for the first time ever. Their previous best start was a 5-0 record 15 years ago.
Defense has been instrumental to Christian Brothers’ success. The Bucs have given up only five goals thanks in part to the tremendous play of Britton McGuire, who has made 14 saves and has recorded two shutouts in eight games.
Samuel Wilson has been downright impressive as an offensive threat, striking for seven goals to go along with two assists. He already has four more goals than he had in his first three seasons combined. Brendan Bennett has stepped up as a playmaker, dishing out six assists. He has scored one goal as well.
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ALABAMA-HUNTSVILLE
The BR-29 Chargers are 3-3 through their first six games and have outscored opponents 22-8 along the way.
Jordan Wright has fueled the attack, punching in seven goals and racking up four assists as well. James Ballamy ranks second on the team in scoring as he has struck for four goals. Alex Martinez has played a big role in helping to run the offense, coming through with four assists. In goal, Michael Winstone has seen the majority of playing time, notching two shutouts and tallying 22 saves.
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LEE
The BR-60 Flames are rolling, playing all non-conference games up to this point. They have won five of their first eight and have lost only twice during the stretch. Three of their wins have come in shutout fashion and they have scored four or more goals three times as well.
David Perez has been instrumental to Lee’s success, pacing the team with seven goals and three assists. Quade Marinell has also been a consistent performer, scoring four times and tallying an assist. The Flames have scored 20 goals in all.
Tom Halsall has started all eight games and has racked up 38 save as he has proven to be one of the top goaltenders in the GSC.
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WEST FLORIDA
No team has been a bigger surprise in the GSC this season than West Florida. The BR-45 Argonauts won their first five games before dropping their league opener to Union.
Their offense has been solid, scoring at least two goals in four of their six games, and their balance has played a part in that. Eight players have scored for West Florida, with Marteinn Urbancic leading the way in points with two goals and two assists. Stephen Enderlin leads the Argos in goals with three.
The Argos have the talent to contend for a league title and should be in the mix for the crown all the way to the end of the year.
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UNION
The BR-119 Bulldogs just snapped a two-game losing streak with an impressive victory over West Florida and they hope to use the momentum to their advantage going forward.
Union isn’t a high-scoring team, managing only eight goals in their first seven games, but they have been fairly solid on defense, giving up just 14 goals on the year.
Amadeu Guimaraes has paved the way with two goals and Paul Langford has stepped up, scoring one goal and tacking on two assists to his stat line. The Bulldogs haven’t had the greatest start to the year, winning only three of its first seven, but they should be one of the better teams in the GSC when it’s all said and done this season.
