METAIRIE, La. — An airtight defense and second-half goals by Artur Rubim and Iman Ouedraogo powered Xavier University of Louisiana to a 2-0 men's soccer victory Friday against NAIA No. 6 University of Mobile at Lafreniere Park.
        It was the first time the Gold Rush (2-0-1), a third-year varsity program, defeated a top-25 opponent.
        Mobile got 17 shots, five on goal, during a 2-all game with XULA a year ago at Mobile when the Rams were ranked eighth. But this time the Gold Rush allowed six shots, one on goal. It was the seventh time in its history that XULA allowed one-or-no shots on goal.
        Rubim put XULA ahead to stay in the 51st minute and scored for the second straight game — it was a rebound shot after Ouedraogo's shot on goal deflected off Rams keeper Sam MacDonald.
        Nearly 18 minutes later, Ouedraogo produced his team-leading third goal of the season and with assists from Guilherme Domingues and Antonio Merola.
        Goalkeeper Breno Zanolla worked his 19th career shutout for the Gold Rush. His save was on Joe McMahon's shot in the 30th minute.
        XULA extended its home win streak — which began Oct. 22, 2023, during the team's first season — to 12 games. It was the fifth consecutive home shutout.
        Mobile, an NAIA national quarterfinalist in 2024, is 0-2.
        Weather at kickoff (7:02 p.m. CDT): partly cloudy, 79 degrees, heat index 86, humidity 88 percent, southeast wind at 4 mph. It rained during the afternoon, but not during the game.
        The Gold Rush will travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., for a 7 p.m. Wednesday kickoff at NAIA No. 3 William Carey.