MARIETTA, Ga. - Following a loss to No. 9 Dalton State on Friday Sept. 30, the No. 1 University of Mobile Men's Soccer team bounced back on Sunday, Oct. 2 and defeated No. 18 Life University, 3-2. The Rams improved their overall record to 7-1-1 with Sunday's win, while improving their conference record to 2-1-0. Sunday's NAIA ranked matchup with the Running Eagles of Life is the third time in the last four matches played where the Rams faced ranked competition.
Heading Home with a W
On a beautiful Sunday afternoon north of Atlanta, Ga., Life, the SSAC's newest member, managed to hit the scoreboard first with a goal in the 19th minute on their home turf. Just one minute later, however, Mobile answered following a penalty kick opportunity that resulted in goal from Sebastian Jorgge. Jorgge was responsible for the game-winner against No. 10 Georgia Gwinnett two weeks ago via a penalty kick and earned the SSAC Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week honor last week.
Later in the first half, Life regained the lead following a goal in the 34th minute. Bidding for an upset over the top-ranked team in the NAIA, the Running Eagles managed to hold the lead going into halftime, 2-1.
With Life threatening to upset Mobile, the Rams attempted to avoid their second-straight loss on the weekend, and eventually scored the equalizing goal in the 65th minute. Zacharia Hasler scored the equalizer for the Rams, marking his first goal of the 2022 season. Joshua Bynoe was credited with the assist on Hasler's match-tying goal.
Later in the second half, Mobile grabbed their first lead of the match as Lucas Ros notched his team-leading seventh goal of the season with just under 12 minutes remaining in the match. Jose Sanabria earned the assist. From there, Ros' goal became the game-winner as the Rams hung on to a 3-2 victory on the road.
Mobile took 21 shots in the match, 16 of which coming in the final 45 minutes. Meanwhile, Life tallied 15 shots, with eight being recorded on-goal. Nine of Mobile's 21 shots were on-goal. Ros led Mobile with five shots taken.
Archie Bean, starting goalkeeper for the Rams, played the full 90 minutes and recorded six big saves in the match. Sunday's match is just the third match Bean has played in this year, earning his third victory.
Returning Home
Following the 1-1 week against conference opponents ranked inside the NAIA top 25, No. 1 Mobile will return home to the Jungle for two more conference matches this upcoming week. The Rams will host Brewton-Parker College on Thursday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. CT, and will later face Middle Georgia State on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 1:30 p.m. CT for UM Soccer Alumni Weekend.
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.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
