The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Drop Match to Conference USA Foe UTEP, 3-2
10/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 13, 2006
EL PASO, Texas - The UAB women's soccer team's comeback fell just short as time expired and the UTEP Miners came out victorious, 3-2. The Blazers now hold an overall record of 5-8 and a 3-2 mark in league matches. UTEP improves its record to 12-4 overall and 3-2 in the conference.
"I thought we played really well," said UAB head coach Paul Harbin. "We gave up too many corners and three soft goals, and you just can't do that.
"I think we did a lot of things good tonight. We continue to play well and improve and we actually had a better attacking mentality tonight."
UTEP got on the board first when Tameka Sumter headed in her 10th goal of the season with an assist by Jami Tullius just 8:43 seconds into the game. The Miners increases their lead during the 13th minute as Anoop Josan scored an unassisted goal to put UTEP up 2-0 heading into halftime.
During the second half, the Miners continued where they left off in the first half when Kristin Wernimont headed in UTEP's third score of the game, aided by Josan, to go up on the Blazers 3-0 in the 46th minute of the contest.
UAB got on the board at the 74:51 mark courtesy of its leading scorer, junior forward Sally Palmer. Palmer scored the Blazers' first goal of the game and her sixth of the season with an assist by junior forward Jill Porto to bring UAB to within two, 3-1.
The Blazers inched even closer to the Miners when a rare own goal was scored on UAB's behalf during the 86th minute to make the score 3-2 in favor of UTEP. Despite coming close to tying the ballgame in the final minutes, including a shot by Palmer that was saved by UTEP's Jessica Salvi and a shot by Porto that hit the crossbar with two minutes remaining, the Blazers dropped the match with a final score of 3-2.
For the game, UTEP out-shot the Blazers 16-13 by recording eight shots in each half. UAB notched seven shots in the first half and six in the second 45 minutes of play. UAB was led in the shots department by Porto with six and Palmer with four.
"Every year, Sally comes alive during conference play," said Harbin. "She just does a great job for us. She is very dangerous and had several opportunities tonight, including the one she scored on."
UAB senior goalkeepers Katie Forbis and Julie McFarlane split playing time during the game. McFarlane was in goal for the Blazers during the first half, allowing two goals and recording a pair of saves. Forbis took the field for the second half, allowing one goal and adding a pair of saves to her resume.
The Blazers will continue their Conference USA schedule on Sunday when they play Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colo.
