The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Push Fire To Edge, Fall 2-1
3/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
March 22, 2006
JACKSON, Miss. -- Shane Elsner's goal in the 52nd minute put UAB ahead, 1-0, but the Blazers fell, 2-1, to the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer in a spring exhibition game at Freedom Ridge Park on Wednesday. The contest was the fourth spring contest for Mike Getman's club, which returns 21 letterwinners and 28 roster players from last season's 12-7 club.
Elsner's tally came on a feed from Two-Boys Gumede and gave UAB a lead which lasted 13 minutes. In the 75th minute, Vestavia Hills, Ala., product Floyd Franks notched the equalizer for the Fire. The winning tally came on a corner kick with :30 remaining.
"It was a great game for us which proved as a valuable learning experience for our club," Getman said. "We started the game with five freshmen and ended it with seven freshmen on the field. So, for us to not only have a lead, but to compete so well with a professional team of that caliber is exciting."
Getman's club continues spring play on Wednesday, April 5 at West Campus Field in an exhibition match against the United Soccer League's Atlanta Silverbacks. The first-division professional club will feature former Blazers Jason McLaughlin, Maurice Hughes, both rookies with the Silverbacks, and veteran Tony McManus, another former UAB standout.
The UAB-Silverbacks match kicks off at 7 p.m. Admission is free. The annual spring Alumni game is set for April 8 at West Campus Field.
