The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Vanderbilt
Blazers Fall to Vanderbilt in Season Opener
8/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 20, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB women's soccer team fell behind 4-0 in the first half to the Vanderbilt Commodores before dropping a 5-1 decision on Friday night at West Campus Field. Junior forward Laura McCalla scored the lone goal for the Blazers (0-1).
"There's certainly a number of things we've got to do better," head coach Paul Harbin said. "We didn't have the finishing mentality we should have and they capitalized on our mistakes in the back. We've got to minimize the mistakes and do a better job taking advantage of our opportunities."
Vandy (1-0) took the lead 12 minutes into the match as Megan Kinsella passed to Dana Schwartz, who fired a shot to the near post. Schwartz also scored the Commodores' final goal of the game in the 54th minute.
Candace West tacked on a second goal for the Commodores less than a minute later then made it 3-0 in the 20th minute after she ripped a free kick from 25 yards out into the back corner of the net.
Despite trailing 5-0, the Blazers picked up the pressure late in the game. McCalla drilled a shot from 25 yards out in the 70th minute, and the ball snuck in under the cross bar for UAB's first goal of the season.
UAB returns to the pitch on Sunday, hosting in-state foe Alabama. The Blazers and Crimson Tide kick off at 6 p.m. CT at West Campus Field.
