Alabama Soccer Drops Match to UAB, 3-1

Tuesday, September 21

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

7:00 p.m

Alabama

4-4-0

UAB

3-3-1

UAB

Alabama

Alabama Soccer Drops Match to UAB, 3-1

9/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

Cally Morrill

» Box Score

On the strength of two goals late in the first half the UAB Blazers defeated the Alabama soccer team at the University of Alabama Soccer Stadium Tuesday night, 3-1.

The first 40:00 of the game were played in a near deadlock, as neither team could gain an edge. However, at the 39:11 mark of the game, UAB's Jenny Rynders scored a goal off a foul kick from Briana McCarty to give the Blazers a 1-0 lead. Alabama's goal-keeper Laura Lowman came out of the net to defend the foul kick and appeared to have it hand. However, it slipped just past her fingers and Rynders found the empty net to put the Blazers on top.

Less than :50 later UAB scored again. This time Laura Richards beat Lowman on the left side of the net from the top of the box and the Blazers took a 2-0 lead into the half. The two-goal margin was more than enough for the Blazers to hold off Alabama for the win.

"We played really, really good soccer for 40 minutes tonight," said Alabama head coach Don Staley. "We just can't continue to allow mistakes to change our momentum."

The goal by Rynders that put UAB on top was created by an Alabama foul that gave the Blazers an open foul kick from 35 yards away. From there the Blazers capitalized and took control of the momentum. Richards' goal put the nail in the coffin.

After scoring eight goals in its first two home games, Alabama has struggled on the offensive attack, especially in the opening half as of late. The Tide was held scoreless in the first half on Tuesday night for the third consecutive game and faced a 2-0 halftime deficit for the third time in five games. UAB's defense was stout all night, allowing Alabama only two shots-on-goal. The Blazers only held an overall shot advantage of 11 to 10, but made the most of the looks the had.

UAB pushed its lead to 3-0 at the 76:23 mark when Jill Porto dribbled around an Alabama defender in front of the net and snuck the ball past Lowman.

Alabama answered and got on the board in the 88:00 of the game off a thrown in from Chelsea Stang. The play looked reminiscent of how the Tide scored to tie Sunday's game against Jacksonville State. Jordan O'Banion, five feet in front of the goal, flipped in the air and kicked Stang's throw in to the upper right-hand side of the net for the goal. It was O'Banion's team-leading sixth goal of the season.

Alabama opens SEC play Friday night at 7 p.m. as it plays host to No. 6 Florida at the UA Soccer Stadium. The Tide will be looking for its first ever win over the Gators.

"We can play with anybody in the country," said Staley. "We just have to eliminate our mistakes."

PHOTO GALLERY:

Game UAB 01
Cally Morrill on the offensive.
(photo by Michelle Lepianka)