THE JUNGLE SOCCER COMPLEX, MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Women's Soccer program, led by 17th-year head coach Brian Person, opened the 2023 season at home on Tuesday evening, Aug. 22, hosting Millsaps College and eventually defeating the Majors, 4-0. Millsaps, a NCAA D-III program, used Tuesday's match against Mobile as an exhibition and will not see it affect the 2023 regular season record. Meanwhile, Mobile's win does count on the regular season record as the Rams start the year 1-0-0.
Match Recap: Rams Go For Four
On a hot evening in Mobile, Ala., the Rams dominated the stats sheet against the Millsaps Majors, tallying 31 total shots across the full 90 minutes played. Mobile opened the scoring early when sophomore Bailey Bronner floated a shot high past the Millsaps goalkeeper in the fifth minute of the match. From there, Mobile held a 1-0 lead for the majority of the first half until newcomer and transfer Izzabella Payne notched her first goal as a Mobile Ram in the 44th minute. The Rams kept the Majors off the scoreboard in the first half and took a 2-0 lead to the break.
In the second half, Mobile Head Coach Brian Person saw opportunity to empty his bench and play several players on this year's roster with a two-goal lead. A total of 25 Rams hit the field at some point across the match, with the third goal of the game eventually coming off the foot of reserve and Mobile newcomer Skylar Bennett in the 67th minute. Later, the Rams tacked on the fourth and final goal of the match as freshman Andi Hughes received a pass from high school club teammate Raegan Latiolais inside the box. Hughes netted her first collegiate goal in the 77th minute, while Mobile played out the rest of the match until the final whistle.
In the net, Person played two goalkeepers in Ebba Elweroth and Juliana Gomez, with Gomez recording Mobile's lone save in the match. Millsaps only managed two shots against Mobile's back line as Elweroth and Gomez each finished with 45 minutes of scoreless soccer. Offensively, the Rams finished with 19 shots-on-goal, and Bailey Bronner led all players with five shots in the match.
First Road Trip of 2023
Following Tuesday's shutout win, the Rams are set to hit the road for the first time this year and play a non-conference road match against Louisiana State University - Alexandria (LSU-A) this weekend. Mobile versus LSU-A is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, Aug. 26 at 1:00 p.m. CT in Alexandria, La.
FOLLOW THE RAMS
For complete coverage of University of Mobile Athletics, follow the Rams on social media at /MobileRams (Facebook), @UMobileRams (Twitter), and @umobilerams (Instagram), or visit the official home of the University of Mobile Athletic Department at https://umobilerams.com/.
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.
