The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Florida
Blazers Fall to No. 11 Florida in Exhibition
8/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 14, 2010
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The UAB women's soccer team traveled to No. 11 Florida on Saturday night for its only exhibition match of the 2010 season, dropping a 3-0 decision to the Gators at the Florida Soccer Practice Field.
The two teams played three 30-minute periods and although the Blazers were unable to score, head coach Paul Harbin was pleased with his team's improvement throughout the match.
"We struggled with the pace of play early in the match, but we were able to adapt as the match went on and we got used to the speed of play," Harbin said. "Now the key is to do that across the next week in preparation for opening weekend. If we can continue to move forward, we'll be in great shape once we reach conference play."
The Gators tallied two goals in the early frame, but the Blazer defense clamped down for the final 60 minutes, allowing just one goal. The UAB offense also picked up the pressure, as the Blazers had three solid opportunities to score late in the match, but were unable to capitalize.
"Florida exposed our weaknesses, which is what we expected," Harbin said. "We've got some little details that maybe we can get away with druing training, but we can't get away with come game time."
The Blazers open the regular season next Friday, hosting the Vanderbilt Commodores at 7 p.m. CT at West Campus Field.
