MOBILE, Ala. - In the first round of the 2022 SSAC Men's Soccer Championship Tournament, the fourth-ranked University of Mobile Men's Soccer team hosted the Faulkner Eagles on Thursday evening, Nov. 3 at the Jungle on the University of Mobile campus. In a match that looked promising for Mobile, Faulkner managed a late comeback to force overtime at the Jungle, putting the Rams on upset alert. However, Mobile managed to escape the late surge by Faulkner, winning the first-round matchup 4-3 in double-overtime and advancing to the semifinals of the conference tournament next week.
Rams Battle for Postseason Win
Through the first 40 minutes of Thursday's first-round match, Mobile looked dominant by controlling possession of the ball and scoring three goals to hold a 3-0 lead. Lucas Ros scored his team-high 12th goal of the season just 15 minutes into the match, while Maxime Benoit notched his first goal of the season two minutes later. Later in the first half, Benoit scored again in the 38th minute to increase his season total to two goals on the year.
With just over three minutes remaining in the first half, Faulkner capitalized on a Mobile foul near the box and scored their first goal of the match with a strike in the 42nd minute off a free kick. Faulkner's first-half goal seemed to give the Eagles some momentum trailing by two at halftime.
In the second half, the Rams looked good early, but Faulkner managed an offensive surge with just 15 minutes remaining in the match. Eventually, the Eagles cut the Mobile deficit to one goal with their second goal scored in the 80th minute. With Mobile all of the sudden trying to survive a comeback, the confidence seemed to burst on the Faulkner side as the Eagles tallied the equalizer in the 88th minute, just two minutes remaining in regulation. From there, the first-round matchup went to overtime.
Per the NAIA, overtime in soccer saw several changes during the offseason. Despite what happens or how many goals are scored throughout overtime, it is required that two 10-minute overtime periods are played.
In the first overtime period, the match looked destined to head to the second overtime period still tied, 3-3. However, with one minute remaining, freshman Joseph McMahon scored his second goal of the season for Mobile to put the Rams on top, 4-3. Jose Sanabria was credited with the assist after a perfect cross pass from near the sideline. McMahon did not play during regulation and was fresh for the overtime periods.
In the second overtime, Faulkner took four total shots, but failed to record a second comeback on Thursday evening and saw Mobile earn the win. Goalkeeper Ty Turner came away with an impressive save in the second overtime period to keep the Rams out front.
In the win, Mobile out-shot Faulkner 25-9 throughout the entire match, while Turner finished with two saves. Maxime Benoit led all players with six shots taken in the victory.
Faulkner's 2022 season came to an end with the overtime loss to No. 4 Mobile, as the Rams head on to Montgomery, Ala. next week for the semifinals of the conference tournament.
Rams Want Revenge
With Mobile's first-round win over Faulkner, the Rams will now face conference rival William Carey next week in the semifinals of the SSAC Men's Soccer Championship Tournament. The semifinal match is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Nov. 9 and will feature two top-10 teams in the NAIA, with Mobile ranked No. 4 and William Carey sitting at No. 10. The Crusaders managed a 1-0 win over Mobile back on Oct. 22.
Next week's semifinals will be played at the Emory-Folmar YMCA Complex in Montgomery, Ala. from Nov. 9-11.
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.
