MOBILE, Ala. - On a chilly, clear evening in Mobile, Ala. on Saturday, Nov. 20, the University of Mobile Men's Soccer team hosted Columbia International University in the NAIA Opening Round finals at the Jungle Soccer Complex on the University of Mobile campus. Mobile entered the opening round as the top seed of the Mobile bracket, earning the host bid, while Columbia International earned the No. 2 seed of the bracket. Both teams first played separate teams on Thursday, Nov. 18 to advance to the finals of the opening round on Saturday, with the winner of Saturday's match advancing to the final site of the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship in Decatur, Ala. on Nov. 30 - Dec. 6.
How It Happened
In Saturday's match, top-seeded Mobile, who entered with a 16-2 overall record, managed a shut out over Columbia International, claiming the win 3-0 and advancing in the national tournament. Columbia International entered the match with a 17-2 overall record before the defeat. Mobile's shut out win came behind a second-minute goal scored by Alejo Binaghi, his 23rd goal of the season. Binaghi's goal was a header off a cross pass from Jose Sanabria, who was awarded the assist. Mobile's quick strike in the match immediately gave the Rams momentum.
Later in the first half, Mobile added an insurance goal before halftime when defender Baptiste Gateau scored his first goal of the season off a corner kick attempt in the 39th minute. Emman Rahimi took the corner, which went right to the feet of Angel Almiron. Almiron then touch passed the ball to Gateau in the box to put the ball in the back of the net for the Rams and make the deficit two goals. Mobile and Columbia International went to the break with the score still 2-0, but not before some drama ensued on the pitch.
Right before halftime, Mobile's Emman Rahimi was shown his second yellow card of the match in the 43rd minute. Due to his second yellow, Rahimi received a red card and was ejected from the match. Mobile was forced to play a man down for the remainder of the competition. Columbia International then took advantage of the ejection late in the first half and threatened inside the Mobile box as the first half clock ticked down. Columbia International managed to take a slow-rolling shot near the Mobile net that eventually crossed the plain for a goal. However, referees gathered together and ruled that the clock expired before the ball crossed the plain and the Columbia International goal was taken off the scoreboard.
In the second half, Mobile's disadvantage of being a man down did not seem to slow the Rams down. Mobile Head Coach Daniel Whelan did a fantastic job getting his team to adjust to the first half ejection and Mobile eventually added on to their lead in the second half to make the deficit three goals. Joshua Bynoe scored his 14th goal of the season in the 69th minute for more insurance for the Rams.
The match eventually ended with the score sitting at 3-0 in favor of Mobile, as the Rams out-shot Columbia International 13-9 in the match. Both teams recorded five shots-on-goal as Columbia International missed several opportunities throughout the match. Mobile goalkeeper Antoine Bedos recorded five saves in the victory, highlighted by an impressive full-extension diving stop early in the first half. Mobile's victory on Saturday guarantees the Rams as one of 10 teams competing for the 2021 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship in Decatur, Ala.
NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship Final Site - Decatur, Ala.
The 63rd Annual NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship will be played at Jack Allen Soccer Complex in Decatur, Alabama from November 30 through December 6, 2021. Seven of the 10 Opening Round hosts, including Mobile, made it out of bracket play to advance to Decatur and compete for the coveted national championship banner and trophy.
Mobile entered the national tournament this season for the 21st time in their history and have recorded a 32-19-3 all-time record in the tournament. Mobile secured their only NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship back in 2002. This year, the Rams have been awarded the No. 3 seed out of the 10 competing teams and will face the No. 6 seed Indiana Tech on Thursday, Dec. 2 at 7:00 p.m. CT. Mobile and Indiana Tech have met just once in their history, with Mobile defeating the Warriors 1-0 in the 2019 NAIA Men's Soccer Opening Round.
NAIA Links
The NAIA Network – the association's official video streaming home – will broadcast all eight matches live at the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship final site in Decatur, Ala. with the championship game being shown on ESPN3. The video platform, powered by Stretch Internet, allows users access to live video, statistics, and social interaction on a number of devices, including mobile. Single day passes can be purchased for $9.95, while an all-championship tournament package is available at $34.95. For more information and to pre-register, click here: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/naia/
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.
