The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Belmont
No. 25 UAB Defeats Belmont, 4-1
9/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 17, 2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Junior forward Babayele Sodade scored his fifth goal in five games and senior defender Curtis Ushedo added a goal and an assist to lift the No. 25 UAB men's soccer team to a 4-1 victory over Belmont on Friday. The contest was the first game of the Hyatt Place/Lipscomb Invitational.
With the victory, the Blazers improve to 4-1 on the year. Additionally, UAB captured its fourth-straight victory since a season-opening defeat at defending national champion and No. 2-ranked Virginia (Sept. 3).
Sodade's tally, which came off an assist by sophomore Reed Matte in the 35th minute, broke a 1-1 tie and marked his second game-winning goal of the year. He is the first player during head coach Mike Getman's 19-year tenure to start a season by scoring at least one goal in each of the team's opening five games.
The Blazers took an early lead when senior Anthony King scored his third goal of the season on a strike from outside the box in the eighth minute of play. Ushedo and Sodade recorded assists as they set up King for the goal.
However, the Bruins responded with just over 17:00 left to play in the opening frame when Diego Figueroa connected off a rebound to even things at 1-1.
After holding a 2-1 lead at the half, UAB increased its advantage after converting a corner kick in the 65th minute. Senior Michal Mravec played a perfect ball into the box and Ushedo headed into the side panel to make it 3-1 in favor of the Blazers. UAB added a final goal to finish the game when freshman Gentry Smith found fellow freshman Norris Howze, who one-timed it into the net with three minutes to play in the match.
The Blazers held an astounding 17-4 advantage in shots at the half, and finished outshooting the Bruins, 28-10. Senior midfielder Victor Sambade led the onslaught with a career-best six shots in the contest. UAB also held a commanding 11-1 advantage in corner kicks.
UAB will close out the event on Sunday when it squares off against tournament host Lipscomb at 4 p.m. CT.
