Mobile, AL – The University of Mobile men’s soccer team tonight defeated 7^th-ranked Union College 5-1 to win the 2002 Gulf Coast Classic in convincing fashion. Union’s only goal of the game came late in the second half after the damage had been done.

However, the first five minutes of the game told a different story than the last 85 minutes did in which Mobile dominated, out-shooting the Bulldogs 15-11, and was “operating on all cylinders,” as Coach Peter Fuller commented afterwards.

“It was a very good team we played,” Coach Fuller said. Good enough to force Rams keeper Andrew Bayliss to come up with two outstanding saves during that first five minute span in which the Bulldogs took it to Mobile, controlling the tempo and the ball. But then the “cylinders” started to turn.

In the eighth minute Mobile was awarded a corner kick that U-20 U.S. National team member Stephen Shirley took and which defender Jamie Ferguson headed in to put the Rams up 1-0. Just minutes later déjà vu struck as Shirley sent a cross from the left side which Ferguson again converted on.

Late in the first half Mobile struck again, this time with Carron Williams. Once again using his blistering pace, Williams beat a defender to the end line and served the ball across the line which an incoming Fawzi Bellal nailed in to put the Rams up 3-0.

In the second half, and for the second night in a row, Union received a red card and was forced to play one man down. The Rams quickly took advantage as a long, forty-yard shot taken off the right of the eighteen was not contained by the keeper and sent to the back of the net by a predatory Teba McKnight.

Up 4-0, the Rams saved the best goal for last. Making a run, Nathan Nicholas received a great pass from Jordan Wilson. Charging down the left of the eighteen Nicholas fired a shot from 25 yards out that bent to the top shelf and caught the keeper off his line. The 5^th and final goal not only ensured Mobile of much-needed longo points but was also the first in Nicholas’ four-year career at Mobile.

Union’s only goal came in the 85^th minute off an indirect kick by freshman Gary Lynn.

Responding to whether the Rams are playing at the level needed to be successful, a comment made the night earlier, Coach Fuller said, “No, not entirely. We are on the right track. There are moments where we were very, very good but not quite the composure we need at the middle third of the field. Shape wasn’t quite what it needs to be but I am happy as can be. There are still a lot of little things to improve on.”

The Rams, now 5-0, travel to Rochester, NY for the Roberts Wesleyan College Tournament where they will face 10^th-ranked Azusa Pacific on Friday September 13, and 8^th-ranked Bethel College on Saturday September 14.