TALLADEGA, Ala. - The University of Mobile Women's Soccer team, led by 18th-year head coach Brian Person, opened the 2024 season with a non-conference match on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 17, facing former SSAC foe Talladega College (Ala.) in Talladega, Ala. The Rams got off to a quick start on the year, scoring the first goal of the season in under five minutes, setting the tone of the match and eventually earning a 3-0 shutout victory over the Tornadoes to begin the campaign 1-0-0.
How It Happened
Mobile's first goal scored this season came from newcomer Jil Hellerforth, who transferred from NAIA-member Morningside University (Iowa) during the offseason. Hellerforth managed four goals in 17 starts with the Mustangs two seasons ago and put the Rams on the scoreboard in the fourth minute of the match on Saturday against Talladega. Junior midfielder Olivia Quiroz notched the assist on Hellerforth's goal.
Later in the first half, Raegan Latiolais picked up her first goal of the season in the 11th minute to put Mobile up, 2-0. Latiolais paced the Mobile offense with eight goals scored in 17 starts last year. Jil Hellerforth managed the assist on the team's second goal, finishing Saturday's season opener with three points.
With the first half winding down, Skylar Bennett checked into the match from off the bench and put Mobile up 3-0 with her first goal scored of the year. Bennett joined Mobile last season, recording one goal in just eight matches played during her first year as a Ram. From Bennett's goal, Mobile went to halftime with a 3-0 lead, tallying eight shots in the half.
In the second half, neither team hit the scoreboard as Mobile went on to earn the 3-0 win. Ebba Elweroth was awarded the start in net for Mobile, picking up three saves in the shutout. Mobile's back line defensively held Talladega to just four total shots in the match, allowing only one corner kick for the Tornadoes. Meanwhile, the Rams finished the season opener with 12 shots taken, 11 being recorded on-goal. Trinity Barden led the team with four shots in the win.
Another Road Match Next Week
Following the strong start to the season, Mobile is scheduled for the team's second regular season match on Aug. 24 when the Rams travel west to Louisiana for a non-conference matchup with Louisiana Christian University. Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m. CT next Saturday.
FOLLOW THE RAMS
For complete coverage of University of Mobile Athletics, follow the Rams on social media at /MobileRams (Facebook), @UMobileRams ("X" FKA 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.
