GREENSBORO, NC – Samson Kpardeh’s goal in the 69^th minute proved to be the game-winner Saturday night, as No. 5 seed Liberty defeated No. 3 seed UNC Greensboro 1-0 in the 2026 SoCon Men’s Soccer Championship match.
 
The Flames (8-7-3) won the SoCon title in their first season as an associate member and earned the league’s automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship. The sophomore forward put home a shot in the bottom left of the goal. Ronnie Gorman and Lachlan Middletonwere credited with assists.
 
Liberty put pressure on early in the match, finishing the first 45 minutes with 11 shots – including two by Kpardeh that were turned away on terrific saves by SoCon Goalkeeper of the Year Seth Wilson.  
 
UNC Greensboro (7-3-9) dropped a match on its home turf for only the second time this season. The Spartans managed six shots on the night, with Bendix Bennetzen’s chance in the 23^rd minute the lone shot on goal. Wilson kept the Spartans close with his play between the posts, saving five shots on the night.
 
Kpardeh was named Most Valuable Player, with his game winner the third goal of his tournament – and 10^th goal in 10 matches played this season. He was joined by teammates Lachlan Middleton, Roope Salo, and Oscar Vallejo on the All-Tournament team. UNCG was represented by Wilson, Tiago Campos, and Trym Lindberg.
 
Liberty won its first conference tournament title since winning the Big South in 2011 – also the last trip to the NCAA Championship for the Flames. Teams will find out their destinations and opponents when the NCAA Men’s Soccer selection show streams live Monday, November 16, at 1:00 pm ET (NCAA.com).
 
The SoCon had two teams advance to the NCAA Championships last postseason, with UNCG making an appearance in the Round of 16 and Furman advancing all the way to the 2025 College Cup in Cary, NC.
 
2026 SoCon Championship MVP
Samson Kpardeh (Liberty), Sophomore, Worcester, MA
 
2026 SoCon All-Tournament Team
Samson Kpardeh (Liberty), Sophomore, Forward, Worcester, MA
Lachlan Middleton (Liberty), Sophomore, Midfielder, Sydney, Australia
Roope Salo (Liberty), So., Midfielder, Jyvaskyla, Finland
Oscar Vallejo (Liberty), Senior, Defender, Quito, Ecuador
Tiago Campos (UNC Greensboro), Senior, Midfielder, São Paulo, Brazil
Trym Linberg (UNC Greensboro), Sophomore, Defender, Bærumsverk, Norway
Seth Wilson (UNC Greensboro), Redshirt Senior, Goalkeeper, Frisco, TX
Braden Dunham (Furman), Sophomore, Defender, Peachtree City, GA
Jack Travis (Furman), Senior, Defender, Louisville, KY
Adam Celik (Wofford), Junior, Defender, Höllviken, Sweden
Max Talley (Wofford), Senior, Midfielder, Memphis, TN