Men’s Soccer Defeats St. Thomas 6-1

MOBILE, Ala. -- The University of Mobile men’s soccer team overcame a first half deficit and scored six unanswered goals in a 6-1 route of St. Thomas University Friday afternoon in the first game of the Badger Fall Classic played at Spring Hill College.

After falling behind 1-0 in the first half, Thiago Ramos scored on a header off a direct free-kick from junior Kevin Laux to tie the game 1-1.  After a two assist and one goal performance on Monday against Trevecca University, Laux added another three assists today all coming off set kicks.

After tying up the game right before halftime, Ramos came out and scored another goal just three minutes into the second half on an assist from Dean Logan to put Mobile ahead 2-1.  Forty-two seconds later, Logan found the back of the net after senior Brady Bryant sent a cross into the 18-yard box that was initially caught by St. Thomas goalkeeper Mario Aycart and then dropped right in front of Logan.  Logan capitalized on the mistake as he punched in the third Ram goal of the game. 

Logan added his second goal of the game in the 58^th minute on a header off a corner kick from Laux.  With his back turned toward the goalkeeper, Logan flicked a shot just out of the reach of Aycart. 

Senior defender Jamie Ferguson netted his second goal of the season on a header off another corner kick from Laux.  As the ball passed in front of the St. Thomas goal, Ferguson dropped to the ground and got a head on the ball just before it rolled by. 

The Rams finished the scoring in the 75^th minute when Darren Toby scored his only goal of the afternoon on a combo-assist from Rueben Risco and Jason Miniaci. 

The first half was full of missed opportunities for the Rams.   In the 27^th minute, UM had their first scoring chance of the day when Ferguson found Miniaci streaking behind the St. Thomas defense.  However, the Rams were turned away when Miniaci’s shot was denied by Aycart.  Minutes later, the Rams were turned away again on a beautiful cross from defender Rob Longhurst.  After sending the ball into the center of the 18-yard box, Logan headed the ball in for the apparent game-tying goal.  However, the Rams were called for a foul inside the 18-yard box negating what would have been Logan’s third goal.   

The Rams have outscored their last two opponents by a combined score of 13-1 and run their overall record to 8-4 on the season.  Mobile will face North Georgia University tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. in day two of the Badger Fall Classic.

-30-