The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Clemson (exhibition)
UAB defeats Clemson, 3-0, In Exhibition Opener
8/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 17, 2008
CLEMSON, S.C. - Sophomore forward Ken Tabata collected two assists, while three different players scored to lead UAB to a 3-0 win at Clemson Sunday afternoon. The game was the 2008 exhibition opener for both teams.
The Blazers scored all three of their goals midway in the second half.
"I thought we played very well, especially in the second half, and scored three very nice goals," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "I really thought our depth showed through as the game went on."
"It was a great way to start the season," Getman continued, "by beating a very good team on their home field. It's only a preseason game and both teams played a lot of people. You don't want to read too much into an exhibition game, but I was certainly happy with the effort and happy with the opportunity to get the younger guys some playing time."
After a scoreless first half, UAB finally broke through in the 62nd minute, when senior Derek Rios scored off an assist from Carlo Schiavoni. Just eight minutes later, freshman Andrew Barsalona, playing in his first collegiate game, scored off an assist by Tabata to give the Blazers a commanding 2-0 advantage.
With 11:31 left to go in the match, junior Two-Boys Gumede scored off a double assist by Tabata and senior Shane Elsner to give the Blazers the final margin of victory.
The Blazers will play their final exhibition match of the season and first home game in 2008, when they take on the Georgia State Panthers on Saturday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m. at West Campus Field.
