JACK ALLEN SOCCER COMPLEX, DECATUR, Ala. - The University of Mobile Men's Soccer program, led by head coach Daniel Whelan, will play in their second consecutive NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship match after defeating Lindsey Wilson College 4-0 in semifinals on Saturday evening, Dec. 3. The Rams finished as the runner-up in the championship final during the 2021 season, falling to Keiser University, 2-0. This season, Mobile will face Bethel University (Ind.) in the 2022 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship, scheduled for Monday, Dec. 5, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. CT in Decatur, Ala.
Semifinal Shutout for Mobile
In the 20th all-time meeting between Mobile and Lindsey Wilson College on Saturday, it was the No. 3 seed of Mobile who came out victorious over the 10th-seeded Blue Raiders of Lindsey Wilson. Mobile halted the Cinderella-esque run that Lindsey Wilson has managed throughout this year's national tournament, scoring four goals in the second half following a scoreless first half.
In the scoreless first half, Mobile had their chances, out-shooting the Blue Raiders, 8-7. Mobile's Maxime Benoit received a through ball from Sebastian Jorgge to find himself one-on-one with the Blue Raider's goalkeeper, but a kick save from Lindsey Wilson's Pablo Costa persevered the 0-0 score early. Later, Lindsey Wilson drew up an initial attempt of their own in the eighth minute as the shot from Anouar Adam clanged off the post. A little over five minutes later, Lindsey Wilson's Alexander Koziolek took a free kick from outside the 18-yard box which was saved by Mobile goalkeeper Ty Turner. Later in the first half, Jose Sanabria of Mobile took two shots; one sailing high of the goal and the other saved by Costa. From there, both teams went to the break with a 0-0 score.
Early in the second half, the Rams put together a series of attacks and ended up breaking the scoreless tie when Angel Almiron flicked a header past Lindsey Wilson's back line following a corner kick opportunity. Christopher McKenna earned the assist on the match's first goal. Six minutes later, the Rams went up two goals following a goal in the 56th minute from Zacharia Hasler. Hasler dribbled and dodged his way through the Blue Raider defense, while bringing Costa off his line. This enabled Hasler to push the ball near post in the net as the Blue Raider goalkeeper had gone the other direction. Down two goals, pressure began to weigh down the Lindsey Wilson attack.
Methodically working the ball down the pitch with 14 minutes to go, Lindsey Wilson's Philip Lucius played the ball to the left where Jean Wikes received it and work his way back to the right; Alexander Koziolek of Lindsey Wilson then took a shot, but Ty Turner managed an impressive save and punched the ball over the crossbar. Turner finished the match with six saves, giving the junior 11 total saves in two matches played in Decatur. From there, Lindsey Wilson's chances diminished and Mobile would add on.
Precision passing by the Rams midfielders led to a slow but steady build up to Jose Sanabria, who took the ball from the left wing and found the foot of Lucas Ros who made a quick move before going low and away for the 3-0 margin. Ros' goal in the 79th minute is his team-leading 14th score of the year and gave Mobile much needed insurance late. The Rams were not done there, however, as the exclamation point was added to the contest when Sebastian Jorgge scored the fourth goal of the match, assisted by Chiedu Ikeme and Joseph McMahon. Jorgge's late goal is his third of the tournament and put the nail in the coffin for Lindsey Wilson. The Rams won the match 4-0 to advance to the 2022 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship.
Rams Back in the Title Match
After last season's disappointment in the national championship match, Mobile looks to rebound in a positive way this season in the title match with Bethel University (Ind.) on Monday, Dec. 5. The meeting in the championship final between Mobile and Bethel is the third meeting between the two programs in history as Bethel entered this year's tournament field as the No. 4 seed with a 23-1-1 overall record. Bethel's appearance in this season's national title match is their first appearance in program history, while Mobile will play in the championship final for the sixth time in program history, claiming the lone red banner a national championship trophy in 2002. Mobile enters Monday with a 18-3-1 overall record.
The 2022 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CT at the Jack Allen Soccer Complex in Decatur, Ala. and will be aired live on ESPN 3.
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.
