2011 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship Qualifiers Released

KANSAS CITY, Mo-- The NAIA has released the 2011 Men's Soccer National Championship qualifiers, and the University of Mobile will be making its 15th appearance Nov. 28 - Dec. 3 in Orange Beach, Ala.

There are 31 teams in the field, with 24 automatic qualifiers and seven at-large bids. Mobile received its bid by winning the SSAC Regular Season Championship. Due to serving as co-host for the tournament, the Rams get an automatic pass to the Round of 16, while the rest of the 30 teams will battle Nov. 19 in National Championship Opening Round contests.

Mobile is 21-13-2 all-time in National Tournament play and won it all in 2002. The Rams advanced to the Round of 4 last season. Those 21 wins are second among the field, behind Lindsey Wilson, which has 40 all-time tournament victories in 19 trips.

The Rams are joined by fellow SSAC schools Belhaven, Southern Poly and William Carey.

Waiting for Mobile at the final site in Orange Beach will be the winner of William Carey and Embry-Riddle's opening round contest Saturday. The Crusaders are 13-3-3 on the year, while Embry-Riddle is 13-4-2. Mobile is 16-2-1 on the year.

The Rams beat Embry-Riddle 2-1 in the season opener and tied William Carey 1-1 in a double-overtime contest in Hattiesburg on Oct. 18.