The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
SMU
UAB Drops 2-0 Decision To No. 24 SMU
10/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 22, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The No. 24-ranked SMU Mustangs scored two goals in the final seven minutes of regulation to take a 2-0 victory over UAB Saturday night at West Campus Field. Sophomore midfielder Diogo de Almeida scored both of his team's goals 64 seconds apart to lead his team to the win.
"SMU is a terrific team," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "This was a well-played game. I thought they controlled the first half possession, but we had the better scoring chances. We played extremely well in the second half and just made a simple mistake to give up their first goal. Overall, I thought we played well against a very good team. We did all the right things, but just didn't come away with the win."
SMU's (8-4-2, 1-3-1 C-USA) first goal came at the 83:29 mark, when de Almeida took advantage of a Blazer mistake to give his team a one-goal lead. The goal came off a corner kick that was sent in low by Payton Hickey and could have been cleared out at the near post. However, the ball skipped off the foot of a UAB defender and de Almeida deposited the game-winner into an open net from five-yards out.
Just 1:05 later, at the 84:34 mark, de Almeida secured his team's first Conference USA win of the season when he hit a beautiful bending ball from 40 yards out. The ball dipped over the head of UAB goalkeeper Wes Johnson and into the back of the UAB net for a two-goal SMU lead.
The defeat marked the sixth time in UAB's eight losses this season that the Blazers lost in the final 10 minutes or in overtime of a contest. It also marked the first time this season that a UAB loss was decided by more than one goal.
The contest between the two teams was physical from the opening whistle. The two rivals combined for 42 fouls and eight yellow cards on the evening.
The Mustangs controlled the flow of play in the opening 45 minutes, but it was UAB who had the best chance of the half. Junior midfielder Two-Boys Gumede gathered a loose ball at the top of the 18-yard box and blistered a shot towards the right side of the net. However, SMU goalkeeper Craig Hill made a diving save to keep his shutout alive.
UAB (4-8-2, 1-4) was outshot 16-9 in the contest and had just three corner kicks compared to eight by SMU.
Despite the defeat, Johnson was spectacular in the net for the Blazers, making five saves on the night and several from point-blank range. SMU goalkeeper was equally as impressive, making five saves on his way to his fifth shutout of the campaign.
UAB will next be in action on Saturday, Oct. 25, when it hosts SIU-Edwardsville in the final non-conference game of the 2008 campaign. The contest is set to kick off at 7 p.m. at West Campus Field.
The match is free to UAB students who have a valid student ID. Additionally, students and UAB men's soccer season ticket holders are encouraged to come and enjoy free food and drinks at a pregame tailgate that will begin 90 minutes before the game (5:30 p.m. CT).
