The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Hartwick
Blazers Fall, 3-1, In Regular-Season Opener
8/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 31, 2007
AKRON, Ohio ----- The UAB men's soccer opened the regular season with a 3-1 loss to Hartwick in the opening round of the Westfield Insurance Cup here on Friday. Despite only scoring one goal, the Blazers outshot Hartwick 14-5 and had a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks, but could not find the back of the net.
"I am very disappointed with our play today," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "I thought we had plenty of opportunities to take control of this game and did not do it. We have a lot if things to work on and hopefully we can correct them against a very good Akron team on Sunday."
The Blazers had plenty of opportunities to win the contest early in the second half, including a breakaway and a shot that hit post, but could not finish. In fact, UAB outshot the Hawks, 9-1, in the second half, including a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Hartwick jumped on top with a goal in the 11th minute of play when a crossed ball slipped past UAB goalkeeper Wes Johnson and into the net.
The Blazers wasted no time responding, as junior Frank Brown recorded his first-ever goal for the Green and Gold. Brown made a tackle to win the ball near midfield, beat several defenders and beat the Hartwick goalkeeper to even the score at 1-1.
However, just over four minutes later, the Hawks took the lead for good when they scored off a corner kick from approximately 12-yards out. Hartwick would add a late goal at the 78:59 mark to seal the victory.
UAB will try to regroup when it battles tournament host Akron on Sunday, Sept. 2, at 5 p.m. ET.
