SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- A game-opening goal from junior Kelvin Omondi wasn't enough as Mobile responded with two quick strikes to send the No. 19 John Brown University men's soccer team to a 2-1 setback on Friday (Aug. 25) evening at Alumni Field.
Despite allowing the Golden Eagles (0-1-0) to rack up a 7-3 shooting advantage in the second half, the Mobile defense, alongside keeper Guilherme Altoe, kept the hosts from any strong scoring chances in the final 45 minutes of play.
Omondi's first goal of the season placed JBU on top early in the 12th minute of play when the reigning SAC Offensive Player of the Year took a cross from junior Ryan Williams in the box and proceeded to dance around Altoe and deposit the ball in the empty goal, much to the delight of the sold-out crowd.
The Rams responded, however, with a pair of strikes before the intermission. Newton Henry, the reigning SSAC Offensive Player of the Year, ripped an 18-yard strike from the top of the box off a feed from Paul Ledsham to tie the score at one in the 39th minute.
Four minutes later, Mobile's Matthew McArthur played a long ball up the middle through the John Brown back line to an oncoming Casey Culver, who bested senior Adam Holt in a one-on-one situation, depositing a strike to the far right post.
"I'm happy with the way we started tonight, and we created some great scoring chances early," head coach Brenton Benware said after his debut at the helm of the program. "We've got to mature in our decision-making as the game settles, though, and we can't allow ourselves to fall into our opponent's game plan. Mobile is a very strong side and a great test for us at this point in the season.
"I'm confident in this group and believe we'll have a positive response from our boys as we move into next week's matches."
Mobile had a chance to take a lead, however, Jordan Sinclair's long free kick rattled the crossbar in the 11th minute.
Altoe made three saves in the second half and finished with four on the evening to pick up the win. Holt took the loss, making a save in each half.
JBU returns to action on Thursday (Aug. 31) at Cumberland (Tenn.) at 7:30 p.m.
