THE JUNGLE SOCCER COMPLEX | MOBILE, Ala. - Coming off a conference shutout win just two days ago, the University of Mobile Men's Soccer team hosted SSAC newcomer University of Tennessee Southern on Saturday evening, Sept. 23 and defeated the Firehawks 3-0 for the Rams' second consecutive shutout victory at the Jungle. Mobile relied on two first half goals to set the tone of the match, while adding an insurance goal late in line for the shutout.
The win advances Mobile's overall record to 4-2-2 this season, with the SSAC record moving to 3-0-1 this year. In the latest NAIA Men's Soccer Top 25 Ratings, Mobile was selected as the 11th-best team in the nation.
Match Recap: Rams Halt Firehawks
Mobile opened the scoring early on Saturday as the Rams hit the scoreboard in just the seventh minute of the match. Following a shot by Joseph McMahon that ricocheted off UT-Southern goalkeeper Ajay Murray, sophomore Samuel Mutiri was there to clean up the sloppy save and net his first goal of the season. Mutiri has taken just four shots this season prior to his goal on Saturday.
Later in the first half, the Rams notched goal number two of the match, with Ivan Jolivet connecting with first-year Ram Jman Dieng from across the box. Dieng's goal came in the 42nd minute and is his second goal this year; first coming at home. Jolivet earned the assist following his great pass, giving him a team-high four assists this season. From there, Mobile took a 2-0 lead to halftime.
In the second half, UT-Southern picked up the pace offensively, totaling eight shots in the final 45 minutes. The Firehawks only mustered two shots in the first half against the Mobile defense, but the two-goal deficit began putting pressure on the UT-Southern attack. Despite their eight shots, UT-Southern was unable to notch a goal on the 11th-ranked Rams. Meanwhile, Mobile added an insurance goal in the 89th minute to go up three scores. Jman Dieng took a shot from the left side of the box and saw it deflected by Murray. However, Mobile newcomer Dani Leone was there to clean up the deflection and score his second goal this year.
Overall, Mobile took 21 shots compared to the Firehawks' 10. The Rams saw 11 shots on target in the 3-0 win, with just four shots being on-goal for UT-Southern. Mobile starting goalkeeper Ty Turner picked up four saves in the shutout win, with Saturday's victory being the second-straight shutout win in net for the reigning SSAC Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week. Dani Leone led all players on Saturday with five shots taken.
Back to Georgia
Coming off a two-win week, Mobile is set to travel to Mount Vernon, Ga. for the next match on the 2023 schedule. The Rams will face Brewton-Parker College (Ga.) next Thursday, Sept. 28 for a 6:30 p.m. CT match.
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.
