Blazers Top Georgia State in Season Opener

Friday, August 18

BBVA Compass Field

7:00 PM

UAB

1-0-0

Georgia State

0-1-0

Georgia State

UAB

Blazers Top Georgia State in Season Opener

8/18/2017 10:43:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Box Score | Photo Gallery

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Rachel Green scored the game-winning goal and Erica Demers secured her first career victory as UAB defeated Georgia State 1-0 Friday night from BBVA Compass Field.

Demers helped UAB improve to 2-0-0 all-time against Georgia State and 9-2-0 against the Sun Belt Conference. In addition, the Blazers have now won four of their last five season openers.

"I'm happy with our performance but we still have a lot of improving to do," Demers said. "We've got to come out tomorrow and look at the small things on the attack and in our defending that will help us get better."

Green gave UAB all the offense it would need early in the game with her goal in the 15th minute. The Peachtree City Ga., native put a touch on a loose ball inside the Georgia State box and took one dribble before firing a shot to beat keeper Brie Haynes.

"It was important for us to pick up an early goal in a game like this because early on we were a little nervous and looked like a bunch of jitterbugs on the field," Green said. "We set the tone with the goal and then controlled the tempo for the rest of the game."

Sophomore Megan Hudgens nearly gave the Blazers another goal midway through the second half with a shot that ended up inches over the crossbar. Hudgens led UAB in 2016 in shots (36), goals (4) and points (11).

Blazer keeper Kelsey Daugherty stopped seven shots and notched her fourth career shutout.

UAB returns to the pitch Sunday at 1 p.m. when the Blazers head to Jackson, Miss., to face Jackson State.

For more information on UAB women's soccer, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WSOC), Instagram (@UAB_WSOC) and Snapchat (@UABAthletics).