The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Ole Miss
UAB Tops Ole Miss In Final Non-Conference Game
9/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 17, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--The UAB women's soccer team topped Ole Miss, 4-2, in the final non-conference game of the season at West Campus Field on Saturday night. The Blazers improve to 3-5 on the season, while the Rebels fall to 4-3-1.
"We controlled the tempo of the game for the most part," head coach Harold Warren said. "We worked on playing under pressure in practice and because of that we were able to keep possession of the ball."
The Blazers peppered Ole Miss keeper, Kelly McCormick, tallying 19 shots, 14 on frame. Senior Tiffini Turpin paced UAB firing six shots, five on target.
UAB took a 2-0 advantage into the break as two freshmen scored their first collegiate goals. Freshman Johanna Liney drilled a shot into the back of the net in the 12th minute after senior Carolyn Polcari served her the ball. Freshman Sarah Hopper found the back of the net off a blocked shot handled by McCormick in the 36th minute.
The Blazers added two insurance goals in the second half. Junior Emma Smith notched UAB's third and fourth goals in a span of two minutes. Smith ripped the ball from 35 yards out and into the top left corner of the net in the 51st minute. The Jacksonville, Fla. native added to the Blazers' lead when sophomore Sam Bradford passed her the ball and she sunk the shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.
The Rebels generated some offense late in the game. Sophomore Mandy McCalla registered the first goal for Ole Miss in the 67th minute after heading a corner kick by Rafaelle Souza. Souza gave the Rebels their second goal in the 80th minute and McCalla had the assist.
The Blazers return to the pitch Friday, Sept. 23 in the first Conference USA match of the year at Rice. The contest marks the first of a four-game road stretch. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. CT.
