MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Men's Soccer team started the 2021 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship Tournament strong after shutting out Houston-Victoria 3-0 on Thursday, Nov. 18 at the Jungle Soccer Complex at the University of Mobile. Mobile was one of 10 teams across the country to earn a host-bid in the tournament and were named the top seed in the Mobile bracket. Houston-Victoria was given the No. 4 seed.
In just their sixth meeting in their history, Mobile and Houston-Victoria began the opening round in front of a very large, tailgating crowd at the University of Mobile. The Rams hit the scoreboard with their first goal in the 17th minute of the match. Sebastian Jorgge connected with Rodrigo Paredes off a free kick where Paredes headed in his seventh goal of the season. Jorgge was awarded the assist.
Six minutes later, Mobile added insurance in the first half after Joshua Bynoe floated an impressive shot high over Houston-Victoria's 6'6 goalkeeper that fell in the corner of the net. Angel Almiron was awarded the assist after Almiron blasted the pass from beyond midfield, deep in Mobile territory. Bynoe's great goal was nominated for ESPN's SportsCenter Top 10 plays later Thursday evening. The Rams took a 2-0 lead to the break.
In the second half, Mobile's team leader in goals scored, Alejo Binaghi, scored his 22nd goal of the season in the 69th minute. Rodrigo Paredes was given the assist. With his goal on Thursday, Binaghi has now reached the 50-point plateau for the season.
In Mobile's 3-0 win, the Rams out-shot the Jaguars of UHV 13-5. Mobile recorded six shots-on-goal while Houston-Victoria did not record a shot on frame in the defeat. Rams' goalkeeper Antoine Bedos returned to the pitch on Thursday and played the full 90 minutes. Mobile's win advances the Rams in the tournament as Houston-Victoria saw their 2021 season come to an end.
Mobile will now face the No. 2 seed of the Mobile bracket on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. CT at the Jungle with the winner of that match advancing to the final site of the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship. Columbia International University defeated three-seed University of the Cumberlands in overtime following the Mobile vs. Houston-Victoria match on Thursday to advance to Saturday.
At the beginning of the NAIA Opening Round, 40 teams began in the tournament, hoping for an opportunity at the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship trophy and banner. Only 20 teams remain in the chase after Thursday with just 10 spots available in the final site in Decatur, Ala. The 10 spots will be filled following Saturday's action.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
