The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Downs Arkansas State, 2-0, In Exhibition Opener
8/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 13, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB women's soccer team used goals by senior Pascale Pinard and freshman Abby Phillips to capture a 2-0 victory over Arkanas State on Saturday night at West Campus Field. The contest marked the exhibition opener for both teams.
Since it was an exhibition, both coaches agreed the contest would be played in three 30-minute segments.
"We got away from what we worked on in training camp, but that will happen with a young team," head coach Harold Warren said. "We need to be more consistent and control the game tempo."
The Blazers opened the scoring when Pinard beat the Arkansas State goalkeeper in the 11th minute for an early one-goal lead. Senior midfielder Carolyn Polcari recorded the assist when she slipped a ball through the Red Wolves defense onto the feet of Pinard. The Quebec, Canada native then finished the play with a shot into the lower right corner of the net for the first goal of the season.
UAB nearly had a two-goal advantage final minutes of the opening 30 minute period, but Phillips' shot ricocheted off the far post and was cleared away from danger by the Red Wolves defense.
After a scoreless second period, the Blazers extended their lead with a goal in the 65th minute. Phillips, who finished the contest with four shots, recorded the goal to extend the UAB lead to 2-0. Freshman Sarah Hopper collected the assist when her shot went past the Arkansas State goalkeeper and hit off the post, right to the feet of Phillips who consequently finished into an open net.
UAB dominated possession and went on to outshoot Arkansas State, 20-4, in the contest. Junior Emma Smith led all players with five shots on the evening, while three of Hopper's four shots were on frame.
The Blazers will next open the regular season when they travel to take on Oklahoma on Aug. 19. Kick off is slated for 7 p.m. CT
