THE JUNGLE SOCCER COMPLEX | MOBILE, Ala. - During RamFest 2023 at the Jungle on Saturday, Oct. 14, the University of Mobile Men's Soccer team headlined the events with a conference matchup against Life University (Ga.) that evening. Despite allowing an early goal and seeing the consecutive shutout streak snapped, Mobile responded nicely and came away with a 3-1 victory over the Running Eagles.
The win for Mobile came in front of the largest crowd at the Jungle this season and extends the current winning streak to six matches. Additionally, the win comes just two days after Mobile knocked off No. 2 Dalton State College (Ga.) at the Jungle. The Rams' overall record improves to 8-2-2 this season and 7-0-1 in SSAC action following Saturday's result as Mobile looks to jump in the next NAIA Men's Soccer Top 25 Coaches' Ratings.
Following the victory on Saturday night, the team and fans stuck around for an impressive firework display put on by Pyro Shows to conclude the RamFest festivities.
Match Recap: Rams Respond with Three-Straight
Life came out and made a quick statement in Saturday evening's matchup with No. 11 Mobile, scoring in just the second minute of the match. The early goal is the first opponent goal allowed by Mobile since Sept. 2 and snaps a run of eight consecutive shutouts that the Rams have put together. The eight-straight shutouts is a new all-time program record.
After Life managed the early goal, Mobile's defense picked up and the Running Eagles were unable to score another goal in the match. Mobile began controlling possession of the ball, working near the Life box. Eventually, Mobile hit the scoreboard in the 14th minute with Darlinton Aboagye notching his third goal of the season. Aboagye finished following two fantastic passes by Sebastian Jorgge and Henrique Luro Mendes, who both earned an assist on the equalizer.
With the match tied 1-1, the Mobile players and fan base began oozing confidence after tying the match and the Rams pushed across the go-ahead goal in the 35th minute. Jman Dieng tallied his third goal of the season to Mobile up 2-1. The match went to halftime with Mobile leading by one score.
In the second half, Life did all they could to score a match-tying goal, but after a costly ricochet inside their own box, Joseph McMahon made the Running Eagles pay with a rocket of a shot over the Life goalkeeper's gloves. McMahon's impressive goal came in the 56th minute and is just his second goal scored this season. Mobile led 3-1 and the score would hold as the Rams earned the victory with three unanswered goals.
Mobile took 16 shots in the match, with a whopping 13 shots coming in the first half alone. For Life, the Running Eagles could only manage seven shots total, with only one being on target. Seven of Mobile's 16 shots were recorded on-goal, with three going in. Jman Dieng led the Rams with three shots taken in the win, followed by three teammates who notched two shots each. Mobile Head Coach Daniel Whelan played a total of 23 players in the winning effort.
SSAC Regular Season Championship Potentially on the Line Next
Following Saturday's win over Life, Mobile is scheduled to return to the road next Saturday, Oct. 21 for arguably the biggest match on the schedule. The Rams are set to face conference rival William Carey (Miss.) next Saturday in Hattiesburg, Miss. for a 4:00 p.m. CT start.
Next Saturday's match features the top two teams in the current SSAC Men's Soccer standings as William Carey ranks No. 6 in the NAIA and Mobile sitting at No. 11. Barring other results in the conference, the winner will likely earn the title of SSAC Regular Season Champions.
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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.
