Rams Clinch Spot At Nationals

MOBILE, Ala— The 16th-ranked University of Mobile men's soccer team was clicking on all cylinders Friday evening in a winner-take-all game at the Jungle.

The Rams hosted Mountain State University for a spot in the NAIA National Tournament, and Mobile won the bid with a 6-0 thrashing of the Cougars.

In winning their 4th-straight game, Mobile controlled both sides of the ball, out shooting the Cougars 31-6, while Jason Williams tallied 4 saves for his third straight shutout win, all in postseason play.

The first half was all Mobile, but the scoreboard only showed a 1-0 lead as the Rams blasted 17 shots, but only put one in the back of the net. That goal was courtesy of Jack St. Hilaire in the 30th minute. On the play, Ruben Diaz crossed the ball to the far post and Mohammed Habibzi headed it back to the nearside where Hilaire was waiting to punch it home.

The second half had the visitors crying "uncle" and clearly frustrated, with 3 MSU red cards handed out in the half as Mobile pounded out 15 more shots, with 5 of the last 9 finding the back of the net.

Cedric Carrie was the star of the half, picking up 1 goal and 2 assists after not starting the game. Carrie made it 2-0 when he took a feed from Diaz and knocked it home in the 62nd minute. In the 75th minute Carrie crossed the ball into the box and Morgan Copes volleyed the ball into the back of the net for the 3-0 lead.

With the game in hand, Mobile kept rolling from there. Onesimus Ikungo took a feed from Carrie and added the Rams' 4th goal, David Suchodolski knocked home a rebound from Jake Curtis in the 82nd minute, and Geert Slits finished the scoring in the 88th minute with an assist from Jason Providence.

Mobile (11-6-2) will next play Nov. 22 in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament, with site, opponent and time to be announced Sunday evening.