MOBILE, Ala. - Entering Saturday riding a five-match winning streak, the University of Mobile Women's Soccer team hosted Middle Georgia State for a conference match at home on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 8 and fell 1-0 for the team's first loss since Sept. 3, over a month ago. The Knights of Middle Georgia State currently does not having a winning record on the season, but entered Saturday's match still receiving votes for the current NAIA Women's Soccer Top 25, playing one of the hardest schedules in the division.
The loss for Mobile drops the Rams' overall record to 8-3-2, while marking the first conference loss of the season through five conference matches played. Saturday's bout with Middle Georgia State was named the SSAC Women's Soccer Game of the Week by the conference office.
Slow First Half Haunts the Rams
In front of a large crowd on Saturday afternoon that consisted of former Rams for the UM Soccer Alumni Weekend, and family and loved ones of four graduating seniors on Senior Day, Mobile got off to a slow start against the Knights in the first half.
The first 20 minutes went scoreless until Middle Georgia State's Miagh Downey put the Knights on top 1-0 in the 21st minute with a goal. Middle Georgia State dominated the box score in the first half, taking 20 shots alone in the half, while holding the Mobile offense to zero shots through the first 45 minutes. Going into halftime trailing by one, Mobile Head Coach Brian Person made adjustments at the break that seemed to work in the second half.
In the second half, Mobile out-shot Middle Georgia State 11-9, while earning four corner kick opportunities. However, the Rams failed to convert a goal in the final half, allowing the Knights to escape with the 1-0 victory. Only three of Mobile's 11 shots were on goal, but the Rams seemed to control the possession time in the second half, creating chances for an equalizing goal.
Raegan Latiolais led Mobile with three shots taken, with Carolina Martins Gomes, Madison Hager, and Mia Mugford all finishing with two shots each. One of Hager's shots was on goal, heading for the top corner of the net, but a great jump save by Courtney Link, the Middle Georgia State goalkeeper, kept the Rams off the scoreboard. Mobile goalkeeper Juliana Gomez also converted several fantastic saves in the losing effort, finishing the afternoon with 10 total.
Back to Work in One Week
Coming up just short on Saturday, Mobile will have to look ahead to their next scheduled match in one week. The Rams will travel to Montgomery, Ala. on Saturday, Oct. 15 for a 1:00 p.m. CT match against Faulkner University.
The match against Faulkner next week is Mobile's lone match on the week.
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.
