BOWLING GREEN, Ky. –  The University of Mobile men’s soccer team (16-4-1) beat Mid-Continent College in thrilling fashion, the game coming down to penalty kicks, 3-3 (5-4 PK) to advance  to the semi-finals in the 2002 NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship at Lovers Lane Soccer Complex in Bowling Green, Ky. While the Rams themselves have never had to endure the anxiety of hanging on to every shot in a sudden death shoot-out, Coach Peter Fuller was only all too well familiar.

“I’ve actually been here before,” an elated Coach Fuller said. “In the national semi-final in the year we [Belhaven College] won the championship in 1992 against West Virginia Wesleyan, the game came down to a shoot-out. It was 1-1 at the end of regulation and then we went 5-4 in penalties.”

It was an unlikely end to a game that saw the Rams up 3-0 with 28 minutes remaining. Mobile senior forward James Gledhill scored in the 19^th minute, taking a 1-0 lead early in the game. 

The score remained 1-0 until five minutes into the second half, when Mobile started to turn up the heat.  Gledhill scored again on a Mike Fricke and Jordan Wilson combo-assist, making it 2-0.  Soon after, the Rams’ freshman forward Carron Williams upped the score to 3-0 on a one-on-one encounter with the goalie that was set up by Teba McKnight. 

“We looked great,” Coach Fuller commented. “We decided we were going to play low pressure and just try to stay real compact. They have some terrifically skilled players and we wanted to give them the least amount of space to play in. We wanted to also get our backs involved to open up counters and it worked like a charm.”

The game seemed to be in the bag for the Rams, but Mid-Continent had other plans.  Sophomore defenseman Alex Antivero scored in the 67^th minute, making it 3-1.  Not four minutes went by when the Cougars’ junior forward Edwin Nyamwala kept the comeback alive, making it 3-2 by converting on a corner kick.  Finally, in the 84^th minute, sophomore Ignacio Ara tied it up at 3-3. 

With the game sent into penalty kicks after two scoreless overtime periods, senior Andrew Bayliss once again had the opportunity to play the role of hero; a role that he was still carrying from yesterday’s 1-0 overtime win against Bethel.

“Staring at them as they walk up to take the shot I simply thought, ‘All the pressure is on you buddy,” Mobile goalkeeper Andy Bayliss commented.

Ram freshmen Steve Shirley scored the winning penalty kick, giving the 5-4 PK advantage to Mobile, which survived their second straight double-overtime game. 

 “Andy’s performance was good today,” Coach Fuller said. “In the penalties he was big time.”

With the win, Mobile advances to the semifinal round and will play the winner of Auburn Montgomery/Covenant on Monday at 6:00 at the 2002 NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship in Bowling Green, Ky.