The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
13-5-1
Saint Louis
14-5-2
Women's Soccer Falls In C-USA Semifinals Against Saint Louis
11/6/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 6, 2003
CHARLOTTE, N.C. --- The UAB women's soccer team lost its first match in nearly three weeks here Thursday as the Blazers fell in the semifinal round of the 2003 Conference USA Tournament against the Saint Louis Billikens, 3-0.
With the loss, UAB (13-5-1) had a six-match unbeaten streak snapped, a streak that began on Oct. 17 with a 1-0 victory at home against Houston. In their last six contests prior to Thursday's match, the Blazers reeled off five straight wins, clinched their first regular-season C-USA championship and advanced past Charlotte, 3-0, via a penalty-kick shootout to advance to the semifinals.
"We just never got into a good rhythm tonight," said UAB head coach Paul Harbin. "I think our team was still a bit flat because of last night's late finish, but I'm proud that they never gave up and that they battled for all 90 minutes. Right now, we just have to sit back and see where we'll be playing next week."
On Wednesday night, UAB played well into the later hours of the evening as the Blazers used a penalty-kick shootout to defeat the homestanding Charlotte 49ers, 1-1 (3-0).
The quarterfinal match, which was originally scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. (EST), did not start until just before 9 p.m. The Blazers' three-overtime contest against Charlotte ended at approximately 11:15 p.m. Saint Louis defeated USF in the match prior to UAB's first-round matchup with the 49ers.
"We didn't get settled in after our bus trip back to the hotel until very late last night," Harbin said. "After eating and training room treatments, I don't think our players were able to go to bed until about 2 a.m. That's not an excuse for our play today, but I think it was a major factor. Tonight was not at all indicative of how we've played this season."
Saint Louis (14-5-2) took an early 1-0 lead on Thursday at 10:52 into the semifinal contest.
The Billikens, who are in the midst of a three-match winning streak, have played some of their best soccer as of late and have won eight of their last 12 contests. Saint Louis will square off against DePaul at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the C-USA championship match.
Off of a corner kick, the Billikens opened the scoring as freshman Dee Geumpel placed a 20-yard shot neatly into the top-left portion of the goal. With the score, Geumpel recorded her eighth goal of the season and handed the Blazers their first disadvantage of the 2003 C-USA Tournament.
Despite falling behind 1-0 in the first half of play, UAB registered seven shots on goal against the Saint Louis defense. The Blazers were able to make several runs at Billiken goalkeeper, Amanda Martin, but were unable to come away with a score. Saint Louis compiled six shots on goal in the first half, with one of the attempts finding the back of the net.
In the second half of play, Saint Louis added a pair of goals to increase its lead to 3-0.
Jamie Perry, the Billikens' reigning C-USA Offensive Player of the Week, scored her 10th goal of the season at 61:40 in the match. Saint Louis then added its third goal of the contest at 72:40 as Maureen Hughes took a pass from Christie Cigno and notched the first score of her career.
"We've had a great season so far," said Harbin, the 2003 C-USA Coach of the Year. "We've played well all season long and we've gotten better as the season has gone on. It's disappointing that tonight turned out to be one of our few off games. With 13 wins, four against 2002 NCAA Tournament teams, and only five quality losses, I think we've positioned ourselves well for an at-large bid. With a few days rest we'd be willing to match up against any team in the country."
UAB set a school record for wins this season as the Blazers accumulated 13 victories and suffered only five losses. The previous team-high for wins in a season was 12, which was accomplished in both 1996 and 1998.
Two of the Blazers' five losses this season came against teams ranked among the nation's top 20. UAB fell in hard-fought contests versus No. 17 Auburn and the 19th-ranked Clemson Tigers.
The Blazers' final remaining losses came against the three teams that accompanied them in the semifinals of the 2003 C-USA Tournament. Earlier this season, UAB dropped overtime matches versus Tulane, 4-3, and DePaul, 2-1.
The UAB women's soccer team will return to Birmingham, Ala., on Friday to await an at-large bid to the 2003 NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Tournament Committee will select its official 64-team field on Monday, Nov. 10.
The Blazers were the outright C-USA regular-season champions and advanced to the semifinal round of the conference tournament for the third time in school history.
Saint Louis (14-5-2) def. UAB (13-5-1), 3-0
SLU 1 2 - 3
UAB 0 0 - 0
Scoring: SLU, Dee Guempel (8) 10:52 (unassisted), Jamie Perry (10) 61:40 (assist Maureen Hughes), Hughes (1) 72:40 (assist Christie Cigno).
Saves: UAB, Katie Forbis 9, 3 goals allowed; SLU, Amanda Martin 8, 0 goals against.
Yellow Cards: SLU, Kelly Ferguson 16:26; UAB, Pam Cooney 85:04.
2003 C-USA Tournament
Day Two Results
#6 DePaul def. #7 Tulane, 2-0
#5 Saint Louis def. #1 UAB, 3-0
Championship Match
Sunday, Nov. 8 - - Charlotte, N.C.
#6 DePaul vs. #5 Saint Louis - - 2:00 p.m.
Team Stats
GUEMPEL, Dee (8)
10:52
PERRY, Jamie (10)
Assisted By: HUGHES, Maureen
61:40
HUGHES, Maureen (1)
Assisted By: CIGNO, Christie
72:40
