University of Mobile (Alabama) scored twice in the second half on its home pitch to rally past the Georgia Gwinnett College men's soccer team 2-1 Saturday night in a matchup of nationally ranked NAIA teams.

No. 18-ranked Mobile (2-1) squared the match, 1-1, in the 56th minute on a goal from Lucas Ros. That player would contribute to Jose Sanabria's winning tally in the 68th goal. Sebastian Jorgge provided an assist on both of the team's goals.

GGC (1-1-1), ranked No. 16 in the NAIA preseason Top 25 poll, got on the scoreboard first on an unassisted goal from junior Karim Tmimi in the 30th minute. It was the only shot the Grizzlies would register in the opening 45 minutes.

Tmimi nearly tied the match in the 79th minute when his shot hit the opposing goal post. He led the team with four shots. Junior Aleksandar Racanovic put a shot on goal with 19 seconds left in the match. However, Mobile goalkeeper Antoine Bedos made the save on both plays.

Mobile held a slight 11-9 edge in shots, including a 9-8 margin during the second half. Six of the Rams' shots were on target compared to just two shots on goal for the Grizzlies.

Saturday's match marked the first contest for GGC against a nationally ranked opponent.

Georgia Gwinnett College split its two matches this weekend at Mobile. The team defeated Baker University (Kansas) 4-1 on Friday. The match with Mobile was originally scheduled for Sunday but was moved up to Saturday night to alleviate possible deteriorating playing conditions with weather associated with Hurricane Ida.
  Goals by Lucas Ros and Jose Sanabria in the 56th and 68th minutes, respectively, turned a 1-0 GGC advantage into a one-goal deficit. The Rams, who were playing their third straight nationally ranked opponent to open the season, held a 9-8 shot edge in the second half.
  30' – Karim Tmimi, GGC (unassisted)
56' – Lucas Ros, Mobile (Sebastian Jorgge)
68' – Jose Sanabria, Mobile (Sebastian Jorgge, Lucas Ros)
 

• Mobile held an 11-9 shot advantage in the match
• Both teams recorded five corner kicks
• Junior Karim Tmimi attempted a match-high four shots
• Six different GGC players registered a shot in the contest

• GGC drops to 1-1-1 in 2021, while Mobile improves to 2-1 record this fall
• Georgia Gwinnett College was ranked No. 16 in the NAIA Top 25 preseason poll; Mobile stood No. 18 in the same poll
• Mobile leads the all-time series by a 3-1-1 margin

Georgia Gwinnett College is scheduled to host McPherson College (Kansas) during the Labor Day Grizzly Classic on Saturday, September 4, at 7:30 p.m. from the Grizzly Soccer Complex.