THE JUNGLE SOCCER COMPLEX | MOBILE, Ala. - For the third-straight season, the University of Mobile Men's Soccer team, led by 10th-year head coach Daniel Whelan, has advanced to the final site of the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship following a second-round victory at home. Mobile hosted Louisiana Christian University for the second-round matchup on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 18, coming away with a 4-0 win over the Wildcats to advance in the national tournament.
The Rams improve the overall record to 15-2-2 this season following Saturday's win, with the team now scheduled to travel to Wichita, Kan. as one of 16 teams competing for the coveted red banner and national championship trophy.
Match Recap: Mobile Looks Dominant
With Mobile earning a first-round BYE to open this year's national tournament, Louisiana Christian had to get through Hope International University (Cal.) in the first round on Thursday, Nov. 16 to face the Rams on Saturday. LCU managed a 3-2 win in the first round over Hope International, building confidence ahead of Saturday's match against Mobile. However, that confidence was short-lived as Mobile came out strong against the Wildcats to open the second round.
Mobile hit the scoreboard in just the seventh minute of the match, while adding a second goal in the ninth minute. Zacharia Hasler notched Mobile's first score, while freshman Noah Miller tallied Mobile's second goal of the afternoon. Sebastian Jorgge earned the assist on both of the Rams' early goals. Up 2-0 in less than 10 minutes, the confidence and momentum quickly shifted to Mobile's side as the Rams set the tone of the match early on.
Throughout the remainder of the first half, Mobile recorded 12 shots, while Louisiana Christian only tallied one. However, the score remained 2-0 at the break. In the second half, the Rams added an insurance goal 10 minutes out of halftime, with Sebastian Jorgge continuing his strong day with the team's third goal. Jorgge eventually finished his day with one goal and two assists. Joseph McMahon picked up the assist on Jorgge's goal.
For good measure, Mobile put the match away in the 73rd minute and went up, 4-0. Noah Miller recorded his second goal of the match, coming off a pass from Darlinton Aboagye, who was credited with the assist. From there, the Mobile back line kept the Wildcats away from goalkeeper Ty Turner and the match went final with a 4-0 victory for Mobile.
Turner notched his 13th clean sheet of the season in net with the shutout win, picking up one save in the process. LCU only managed five shots compared to Mobile's 17 through the full 90 minutes. Seven of Mobile's 17 shots were on target. Zacharia Hasler, Noah Miller, and Joseph McMahon paced Mobile with three shots each.
Headed to Wichita
The Rams advance to the round of 16 at the final site of this year's NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship following Saturday's win, scheduled for Nov. 27 - Dec. 4 in Wichita, Kansas. Mobile will open play in Wichita with a Monday matchup against Milligan University (Tenn.) at the Scheels Stryker Sports Complex, home of this year's national tournament. A start time is to be announced later by the NAIA.
For a full look at this year's NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship Bracket, click HERE.
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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.
