Blazers Defeat Charlotte In Conference USA Opener, 2-1

Friday, September 19

Charlotte, N.C.

7:00 PM

UAB

5-2, 1-0

Charlotte

1-6, 0-1

UAB

Charlotte

UAB's Jill Knottek scored both goals in Friday's victory.

Blazers Defeat Charlotte In Conference USA Opener, 2-1

9/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 19, 2003

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. ----- The UAB women's soccer team opened its 2003 Conference USA schedule with a victory on Friday as the Blazers used two goals from senior Jill Knottek to defeat the Charlotte 49ers, 2-1, on the road at Transamerica Field in Charlotte, N.C.

"This was a great win for us," said UAB head coach Paul Harbin. "Charlotte is a very good team and I'm proud of how our players came out and competed with a lot of heart today. I think that we played one of our best games of the season and it was good to get a win on this field, because this is where the conference tournament will be held at the end of the year."

UAB (5-2, 1-0) opened Friday's scoring at 19:59 in the contest as the Blazers' Knottek connected on a spectacular diving header past Charlotte's goalkeeper Shannon Huffman. Knottek, UAB's forward from Midland, Texas, scored the goal after assists from Liz Bosscher and Jennifer Williams.

The Blazers' second goal of the C-USA opener was an unassisted score at 64:33 in the matchup. The game-winning goal, Knottek's fourth of the season, ended up securing UAB's fifth victory of the season and the Blazers third in a row.

Charlotte (1-6, 0-1), the 2002 C-USA regular-season champion, scored its lone goal of the contest at the 82:25 point in the game. Courtney Crandell, the league's preseason player of the year, notched the goal off of a free kick.

"Charlotte's record is really deceiving," Harbin said. "We have played three top-20 ranked opponents this season and Charlotte is one of the best teams that we have faced. They've played one of the toughest schedules in the nation this season and I wouldn't be surprised if they are in the hunt for the conference title again."

With Friday's crucial conference victory, the Blazers recorded their first win over Charlotte and improved to a 1-6 all-time record against the 49ers. Last season, UAB lost in heartbreaking fashion versus Charlotte, 4-3, in overtime.

"We did a good job of establishing ourselves early in the game today," said Harbin. "We were able to maintain a constant presence, and that is always a key to winning on the road. We kind of lost our composure at the end, but we did a good job of settling down and we were able to go back to doing what we were doing at the beginning of the game."

The UAB women's soccer team will next be in action on Sunday, Sept. 21, as the Blazers remain on the road to face the Louisville Lady Cardinals at noon (CDT) in Louisville, Ky.

--- agate to follow ---

UAB (5-2, 1-0) def. Charlotte (1-6, 0-1), 2-1

UAB 1 1 - 2 Charlotte 0 1 - 1

Scoring: UAB, Jill Knottek (3) 19:59 (assists Liz Bosscher, Jennifer Williams), Knottek (4) 64:33 (unassisted); Charlotte, Courtney Crandell (2) 82:25 (unassisted). Saves: Katie Forbis (UAB) 8, Shannon Huffman (Charlotte) 5. Cautions: Yellow Card, 84:44 Tara Kidwell (UAB).