DECATUR, Ala. - The University of Mobile Men's Soccer program returns to the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship Final one year after suffering heartbreak during the 2021 title match where the Rams fell to Keiser University, 2-0. Mobile's appearance in this season's championship match is the sixth all-time appearance for the Rams, with Mobile winning it all for the program's lone NAIA National Championship in 2002. In the 2022 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship match, Mobile (18-3-1) will face Bethel University (Ind.) (23-1-1) on Monday, Dec. 5 at 2:00 p.m. CT at the Jack Allen Soccer Complex in Decatur, Ala.
Monday's meeting between Mobile and Bethel (Ind.) is just the third time in program history where the two teams have met on the pitch. The first two meetings came during the 2006 and 2010 seasons where the Rams came out victorious is both matchups. Mobile, led by ninth-year head coach Daniel Whelan, entered this year's NAIA postseason ranked No. 4 in the latest NAIA Men's Soccer Top 25 Coaches' Poll and earned the No. 3 seed at the final site in Decatur. For Bethel, the Pilots entered the postseason ranked No. 6, while earning the No. 4 seed at the final site.
While in Decatur, both teams have played just two matches; quarterfinal and semifinal games. Mobile began their run to the championship final by defeating a heavily-favored Missouri Valley team 3-1 on Thursday, Dec. 1. Then, the Rams shutout Lindsey Wilson College 4-0 on Saturday, Dec. 3 to advance to this year's NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship Final. Meanwhile, the Pilots of Bethel came away with an impressive 3-0 win over Georgia Gwinnett in the quarterfinals of the tournament, and finished the semifinals with a 2-1 victory over Rio Grande University. The appearance in the title match for Bethel is the first in program history.
Throughout the 2022 season for Mobile, the Rams average over three goals per games in 22 matches played and have scored 73 goals total as a unit. Mobile has seen 19 different goal scorers on the year, led by Lucas Ros who has recorded a career-high 14. Sebastian Jorgge follows Ros with eight goals this season, scoring three goals combined during the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. Additionally, Jorgge has eight assists to his name and Jose Sanabria leads the Rams with nine assists. Sanabria joins Zacharia Hasler with four goals scored this year, while Chiedu Ikeme and Jeb Scarbrough have managed five each. In the net, Ty Turner has turned in an impressive performance while in Decatur, tallying 11 saves in two matches. Turner has 43 saves total this season on a .705 save percentage.
For Bethel, the Pilots have notched 74 total goals in 26 matches. Bethel has seen just one loss on the year and averages just under three goals per game. Luan Bressy leads the Pilots with 20 goals this season, followed by Peiro Sabroso with 12. In the assists category, Tim Noeding leads Bethel with 10 on the year, while scoring four goals. Goalkeeper Finn Popescu has managed 43 saves during the season, with a save percentage sitting a .723.
ESPN 3 / The NAIA Network
The 2022 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 5 at 2:00 p.m. CT. The championship final will be played at the Jack Allen Soccer Complex in Decactur, Ala. and will be broadcasted live on ESPN 3 or on the NAIA Network.
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 match being aired on ESPN 3. 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://www.naia.org/sports/msoc/stretch_msoc.
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.
