The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Western Carolina
Belsterling's Pair of Goals Lift Blazers to 3-2 Win
9/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 3, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Senior midfielder Allison Belsterling scored a pair of goals to lead UAB to a 3-2 win over Western Carolina on Friday night at West Campus Field. Junior forward Laura McCalla chipped in her team-leading fifth goal of the season as the Blazers improved to 3-2.
"We were much more assertive with our attack, especially around the box," head coach Paul Harbin said. "We were putting in the extra effort and really going after balls."
The Blazers took an early lead after taking advantage of a set piece in the 14th minute. Junior forward Carolyn Polcari's delivered a corner kick directly to Belsterling, who headed the ball in from inside the six.
"Allison is just a beast in the air," Harbin said. "If you put her in a game and send balls into the air, she wins everything."
Western Carolina (2-1) netted the equalizer in the 30th minute. Catamount forward Christine Kaznowski drew UAB goalkeeper Kate Blankenship from between the posts, then knocked a slow roller that got away from Blankenship and trickled into the goal.
McCalla put the Blazers back on top in the 38th minute when she flicked in a pass from senior defender Marie Yempuku. UAB took a 2-1 lead into the break.
UAB continued to pressure in the second half and Belsterling gave the Blazers a two-goal cushion in the 75th minute. Polcari again delivered a corner kick, this time to freshman defender Kirsten Ebert. Ebert's shot ricocheted off a WCU player and right to the head of Belsterling, who buried it for the 3-1 lead.
The Catamounts pressed late in the contest and it paid off in the 84th minute when midfielder Laura Greb fired a shot over the outstretched hand of UAB goalkeeper Alexis Braziel to cut the Blazers' lead to one, but UAB's defense withstood the late WCU charge.
The Blazers had their highest shot total of the season, firing 23, including eight on frame, compared to Western Carolina's seven shots, five on frame. Blankenship recorded three saves in the contest, while Catamount keeper Caitlin Williams had five.
UAB returns to the pitch on Sunday, traveling across town to Samford for a 6 p.m. match.
