Kissimmee, Florida | December 3, 2025 — Championship brackets don't care about history but Nelson University certainly rewrote some tonight. Under the bright lights of Austin-Tindall Sports Complex, the Lions stormed past defending national champion Judson University, earning a thunderous 3–1 victory and officially securing their spot in the NCCAA Division I Men's Soccer Semifinals.
And at the heart of the statement win? A performance for the ages by striker Garey Mills, who delivered a cold-blooded, storybook hat trick, scoring in the 57th, 58th, and 87th minutes to break open a tense knockout-style matchup and send the Purple and White roaring into the next round.
The opening 45 minutes were tense, chippy, and methodical, exactly what you expect from a defending champion fighting to stay alive and a rising Nelson squad determined to prove they belong. Judson peppered early chances, outshooting Nelson 6–2 in the first frame, but goalkeeper Amir Raime stood tall, snagging saves and organizing the back line with precision.
Every touch mattered. Every duel felt like a moment that could swing the match.
And then the second half arrived and with it came an avalanche of Nelson momentum.
In the 56th minute, the breakthrough came. After persistent pressure earned Nelson a penalty, Garey Mills buried it, a right-footed rocket smashed into the top-left corner to give the Lions a 1–0 lead.
Before the crowd could exhale, Nelson struck again.
In the 58th minute, Pascoal Manuel threaded a gorgeous assist into space, and Mills didn't hesitate. One touch, one finish, one emphatic 2–0 lead. The sideline erupted as momentum swung violently in Nelson's direction.
Judson clawed back with a 69th-minute penalty conversion from Mateo Vadora, but this night belonged to the Lions.
With the Eagles throwing numbers forward late, Judson's backline misplayed a clearance, and Mills pounced cleaning up a turnover by the keeper and tapping in his third goal at the 87:43 mark to slam the door shut.
Hat trick. Game over. Semifinals secured.
Behind Mills' brilliance, the Lions' defensive line delivered one of their most disciplined efforts of the season. Javaughn Hines, the team's emotional anchor, logged another 90-minute command performance in the midfield engine room.
Alex Castro, Pascoal Manuel, David Ospina, and the backline absorbed wave after wave of Judson pressure, especially during a flurry of second-half corners (Judson tallied 5 after halftime). But Raime's three crucial saves and Nelson's composure under fire carried them through.
Judson fired 17 total shots, but never truly cracked Nelson outside of their lone penalty. The Lions grew stronger as the game tightened, a hallmark of a team peaking at the right moment.
NEXT UP?
THE SEMIFINALS.
With Pool C now complete and the defending champions eliminated, Nelson advances to the NCCAA National Semifinals, where everything ratchets up. A spot in the national championship game now sits just 90 minutes away.
More details on opponent and match time coming soon at NelsonLions.com.
Nelson University (formerly SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.
