MONTGOMERY, Ala. --- Tied 1-1 late, Danny DeLorijn netted a pair of goals to see the Life University men's soccer team lay claim to the Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament Championship in their first season as a part of the league, pulling off a 3-1 victory over No. 4 University of Mobile Friday night.
No. 14 Life U (14-2-1) earned its second victory over a top four opponent in just three days to win the title, sending Mobile (14-3-1) to their second-straight appearance as runner-up for the conference title.
It was a very evenly played contest, Life U trailing in total shots taken, 16-12, but holding an edge in shots on goal at 5-3. Unsurprisingly for a game that had so much on the line and that saw such a high level of defensive play, the teams recorded a high number of fouls, Life U leading 15-9 and also penalties, Mobile leading 5-4.
The first half played out as a complete defensive struggle, Life U surviving an early onslaught of shots by the Rams to keep the game locked up 0-0. Three of the Running Eagle's four first half shots came after half the period had passed, the team starting to apply pressure to keep the Rams honest on defense.
Once the clock struck zero spelling the end of the first half of play, both teams had still failed to find the back of the net to see the teams enter the break tied 0-0.
It took little more than two minutes into the second period for the first goal of the game to be recorded, Mobile taking the lead 1-0. Keeping a similar time frame, just two minutes later a yellow card on the Rams in the penalty area set Life U up with a penalty kick opportunity. Matteo Olivotto lined up for the kick, taking the shot, but a player out off position saw Olivotto having to retake the shot. On the second try, Olivotto went to the same side of the goal and netted the shot to tie the game 1-1 in the 49th minute.
Momentum started shifting towards the Running Eagles after the score, Life U taking four shots to none for Mobile over a nearly 10 minute span. For the second-straight game, timely Manuel Carrillo substitution as time drew to a close again led to a go-ahead goal. This time Carillo hit a perfect cross to DeLorijn, the sophomore ripping home what would eventually stand as the game winner in the 76th minute.
With less than 10 minutes to play Mobile turned up the heat, trying to tie the game and force overtime by posting three shots over a four minute span, but the defensive back line for Life U continually came up with stops. With less than a minute to play, DeLorijn possessed a tipped away ball with no one in front of him, racing away to score his second goal of the game and give the final of 3-1.
Head coach Alex Pama was thrilled with the performance that his team put on display. "What a result for our Men's program. I could not be more proud of the lads and the staff. It was a close game between two very good teams." Continuing with praise for those that held the tournament, Pama said, "A huge thanks to the commissioner and his staff and the YMCA for organizing a great tournament here in Montgomery, Alabama."
Pama finished, looking towards to Nationals, "Now we await the draw Monday on where we play the opening round of the National Tournament."
The National Tournament selection show will happen Monday, November 14th, but the Running Eagles will not have to sweat things out, having earned the SSAC's automatic bid. Monday's selection show will decide which host site Life U will play the Opening Round.
The First and Second rounds of Nationals will be played on Thursday, November 17th and Saturday, November 19th with winners moving on to the final location in Decatur, Ala.
