The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men's Soccer Defeats Previously Unbeaten Western Kentucky, 3-2
9/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 13, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- UAB (2-2-1) struck for three goals in the first half, and were able to hold on to a one-goal lead throughout the entire second half, to defeat previously unbeaten Western Kentucky (4-1), 3-2, here Friday night at the Birmingham Southern College Fall Classic. The game began in downpouring rain making conditions slippery, however, the rain moved out midway through the first half.
"It's not very often you see a game like this one," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "I think the wet playing conditions had something to do with it. I'm pleased with our three goals but at the same time disappointed with the two goals we let in."
The Blazers wasted no time taking the lead. At the 1:41 mark, senior Flavio Monteiro flicked the ball to Mikey Spitzer who was making a run down the right side of the field. The Birmingham, Ala. native was then able to take the ball to goal and beat goalkeeper Darryl Sattler in the lower left corner to give UA B the 1-0 lead.
The Hilltoppers would answer right back just six minutes later. Scott DeGaris scored after receiving a headed pass from Richard Mupfudze off a corner kick at the 7:27 mark to make it 1-1.
UAB would regain the lead off a corner in the 32nd minute as Kareem Morgan took the corner and found a wide open Marin Pusek at the top corner of the 18-yard box. Pusek then fired a pass to sophomore Chris O'Neal who then turned a hit a shot into the left side of the goal, netting his first goal career goal. Morgan scored his second assist of the contest just over four minutes later, as he found a wide open Nnamdi Ngwe in the box. Ngwe was able to receive the ball, turn and hit a shot into the back of the net to give the Blazers a 3-1 lead.
Just before the half, the Hilltoppers managed to get one of the goals back when Mupfudze hit a shot which deflected off a UAB player into the lower right corner which cut the Blazer lead to 3-2 going into the locker rooms.
The Blazers were able to outshoot the Hilltoppers 12-5 in the second half and 20-13 for the contest. However, despite several good scoring opportunities in the half, UAB could not put away Western Kentucky.
"We were able to play smart and possess the ball in the second half," Getman said. "Their style is opposite of ours because they try to put the ball in the air and hope we make a mistake. Both teams played a good, solid match, but in the end, we were able to get the better part of it."
The Blazers will conclude tournament play on Sunday, September 15, at Noon when they take on the Midshipmen of Navy.
