Blazers Tie in Defensive Match

Saturday, September 30

BBVA Compass Field

7:00 PM

UAB

2-3-3, 0-3-1

Charlotte

3-2-3. 1-0-2

OT 3

OT 4

Charlotte

UAB

Blazers Tie in Defensive Match

9/30/2017 11:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB men's soccer team went toe-to-toe with one of Conference USA opponent Charlotte battling to a 1-1 draw Saturday night at BBVA Compass Field. UAB moves to 2-3-3 on the season with a 0-3-1 mark in Conference USA while Charlotte's record moves 3-2-3 and 1-0-2 in league play.

"It was a tough physical match between two good teams going at it for 110-minutes," head coach Mike Getman said. "We talk every day about quality of performance, we don't control the results but control how perform and tonight for 110-minutes our guys were at the top of their game."

The Blazers (2-3-3, 0-3-1) struck first in the 21st minute when senior Rami Dajani drilled a shot into the back of the net off the foot of freshman Donovan Watson who picked up his first career assist. The goal was Dajani's second of the season and 16th of his career. He now needs just five more goals to etch his name into the top ten list of UAB's all-time scoring list.

"Rami missed almost a full year with injuries and it takes time to get back not only to full strength but also having confidence and having your touch and being able to relax and play," Getman said. "The last couple of weeks he has looked much better, scored goals and made a big difference for us."

UAB's lead was brief, however, as 49ers defender Callum Montgomery knocked in the game-tying goal just 2:30 later off an assist from midfielder Teddy Chaouche, his fourth assist of the season.

Three minutes into the first overtime, Dajani sent a cross through the box that multiple Blazers narrowly missed before the 49ers recovered possession.

Again early in the second overtime, Charlotte forward Daniel Bruce was denied when UAB keeper James Teal made an acrobatic leaping save to preserve the 1-1 tie.

Both team's final chance came with three minutes left in the match when UAB's Mathieu Laurent sailed a header just wide of the net.

With tonight's match, three of the Blazers' four home games have reached the double overtime mark. The first two extra period games came early in the season against non-conference opponents.

"We did everything that we wanted to do and if we keep playing like that we are going to win a lot of games," Getman said.

UAB returns to the field Tuesday October 3 when it slips out of conference play and travels to Atlanta to take on Georgia State. Kick between the Blazers and Panthers is set for 6 p.m. central time at the GSU Soccer Complex.

For more information on the UAB men's soccer team follow the Blazers on Twitter and Instagram (@UAB_MSoc).