DALTON, Ga. - In the University of Mobile Men's Soccer's third match since being ranked No. 1 in the NAIA last week, the Rams fell on the road to Dalton State College 1-0 on Friday night, Sept. 30. The NAIA top-10 matchup is Mobile's second in their last three matches played, as the Rams defeated No. 10 Georgia Gwinnett 5-4 on the road nine days ago. Friday night's loss is the first of the season for Mobile, dropping their overall record to 6-1-1 and conference record to 1-1-0. The ninth-ranked Roadrunners stay unbeaten at 7-0-2 overall.
How it Happened
Both teams played a relatively even match for the majority of the night, remaining scoreless through the first 69 minutes. After the first half, Mobile took three total shots, while Dalton State tallied two shots. In the second half, the Roadrunners got on the scoreboard in the 70th minute, bidding for the upset over No. 1 Mobile with 20 minutes remaining. Despite taking six shots in the final 45 minutes, Mobile could not get the ball in the net for a goal and were handed their first defeat of the 2022 season.
Overall, Mobile managed to out-shoot Dalton State 9-5, recording three shots-on-goal. The Rams also took six corner kicks in the loss, all coming in the second half. The Dalton State defense prevailed, however, as the Roadrunners' goalkeeper tallied three saves.
Maxime Benoit of Mobile led the team with three shots taken, while Jose Sanabria took two shots. Both Benoit and Sanabria recorded one shot-on-goal. Lucas Ros, the team leader in goals scored this year for Mobile, was held to just one shot on the night.
What's Next
The No. 1 Rams will have to shake off the tough loss to the ninth-ranked team in the NAIA and look ahead to another road conference match on Sunday, Oct. 2. Mobile will face Life University, the newest SSAC member, at 3:00 p.m. CT in Marietta, Ga. Sunday's meeting will be the 11th meeting all-time between the two programs, with Mobile leading the series with a 7-2-1 record.
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.
