The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Pick Up Conference Win Over Rice, 3-1
10/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 22, 2006
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB women's soccer team got back on the winning track Sunday afternoon, outscoring the Rice Owls, 3-1, for a Conference USA victory. The Blazers elevate their record to 6-10 overall and an even 4-4 in league games, while Rice falls to 10-6-1 and 2-6 in conference matchups.
"Our main focus today was to keep things alive for the conference tournament in Dallas," said UAB head coach Paul Harbin. "I thought we continued to play well and kept doing the things that we've been doing well."
The Blazers wasted no time getting on the board, scoring their first goal just 3:58 into the game. The goal came courtesy of freshman Danielle Blair, who headed it into the net off of an assist from a corner kick by junior Jenny Meyer.
During the 24th minute of the contest, Rice's Lindsay Jaggers received a red card inside the box and a penalty kick was awarded to UAB. Junior forward Sally Palmer took the PK for the Blazers and scored, marking UAB's second goal of the game and Palmer's seventh score of the season.
The Owls came back with a goal of their own during the 28th minute when sophomore Christine Petric knocked Rice's lone goal of the game with an assist by freshman Erin Scott to tighten the score to 2-1.
The Blazers would not back down though, scoring their third goal of the match during the 36th minute of the game. Junior Jill Porto tallied her third goal of the season when she fired a shot into the top, left corner of the goal, with an assist by Palmer.
The scoreboard road 3-1 in favor of the Blazers at halftime, and with no scoring in the second half, it stood as the final score of the match.
"One thing that I thought was different today was that we had more passion in the final third and had that energy that helped us finish," said Harbin. "We changed our starting lineup today and I think that sparked us a little bit, too. Today was as good of a total team effort as we've had all season."
Overall, UAB out-shot the Owls, 17-10, including 11 Blazers shots in the first half alone. Sophomore Nadine Liverpool led UAB in shots taken with five, while Palmer and Porto had three a piece.
UAB senior Katie Forbis earned the win in goal, nabbed five saves and allowing just one goal. Amy McClintock received the loss for Rice while tallying seven saves and allowing three goals.
The Blazers will play their regular-season finale on Friday, October 27 when they host the Memphis Tigers at West Campus Field. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff and will also serve as Senior Day for UAB.
