PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. - Coming off the first loss of the 2024 season two days prior to No. 20 the Cumberlands (Ky.), the University of Mobile Men's Soccer team responded with a 1-0 victory over No. 13 Grace College (Ind.) on Monday afternoon, Sept. 2, finishing a two-match tournament featuring ranked NAIA teams in Atlanta, Ga. Mobile's win came in the closing seconds of the match against the Lancers, improving the overall record to 4-1-0 on the season.
How It Happened
Both Mobile and Grace came out aggressive in the first half, with Mobile holding possession of the ball more frequently. Similar to the loss against the Cumberlands just two nights before Monday's matchup, the Rams managed to record several shots, but were unable to get the ball in net. Across the first half in the Labor Day matchup with Grace, Mobile recorded nine total shots, with four being on target. Meanwhile, Grace recorded five shots in the first 45 minutes, with two being saved by goalkeeper Ty Turner. The score sat at 0-0 at halftime.
It was much of the same in the second half, with Mobile out-shooting Grace 8-4 in the closing minutes of the match. However, the Rams saw an opportunity in the final minute, with newcomer Oscar Hartley connecting with junior Jeb Scarbrough near the box. After some fancy dribbling past defenders, Scarbrough saw an opportunity for a shot and took it with three seconds left. Scarbrough's shot rolled quickly past the Grace keeper and gave Mobile a 1-0 lead as the center official was set to blow the final whistle. The Lancers took a desperation shot from midfield with three seconds left, but the ball sailed to the left and Mobile earned a big win over the 13th-ranked team in the NAIA.
The Rams eventually recorded 18 total shots in the match, with the final shot being the decider. Several shots were either saved or hit the crossbar prior to the match-winner. Grace only recorded 10 shots, five in each half. Ty Turner worked his fourth shutout of the season in net and recorded four saves in the process, while Joseph McMahon paced the team with five shots in the winning effort. Four players on Mobile's side managed two shots each, with Scarbrough's second shot of the day earning the Rams a hard-fought win. Scarbrough's goal in the 90th minute is his first on the year.
Looking to Build
Momentum is high for the UM Men's Soccer team following the impressive win in Atlanta on Monday as the Rams return home for a non-conference matchup this weekend. Mobile is scheduled to host Xavier University of Louisiana on Saturday night at the Jungle, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. CT. The matchup is the first in history between the two programs.
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.
