The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Friday, August 17
BBVA Compass Field
5 p.m.
UAB
0-1-0
0
vs
1
South Alabama
1-0-0
1
2
F
South Alabama
0
1
1
UAB
0
0
0
UAB Falls to South Alabama, 1-0
8/17/2018 8:29:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Battling driving rain for most of Friday evening's match, the UAB women's soccer team was unable to unlock a stout South Alabama defense as the Jaguars held off the Blazers for a 1-0 decision at BBVA Compass Field.
Despite being outshot 15-5, the Blazer defense was able to limit the damage in large part to goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty's heroics between the pipes after she came up with five big saves.
"The message we gave the girls is that you cannot play at this level and not play for more than 80 minutes," head coach Erica Demers said. "I think our team was flat tonight. I thought we played good soccer for 35 or 40 minutes, but that was it. At this level, you can't make mistakes and not play well for long stretches of time and expect a good result."
South Alabama's offense was in full force in the opening half, peppering nine shots and forcing Daugherty into three saves. However, the Blazer defense held firm and kept the match scoreless at the break.
The game's lone goal came in the 50th minute of play when a Daugherty save fell to the waiting feet of South Alabama's Abi Mills, who fired home from close range to put the visitors up 1-0.
UAB had a good bout of possession over the next 15 minutes, with Megan Hudgens and Jamiera Lunsford each having a crack on goal. Despite that pressure, the Blazers were unable to find the back of the net as the Jags went on to win the match.
Junior Natalie Presedo finished the night with a career-best two shots in 65 minutes of action, while Brenda Bishop earned her first collegiate start after playing 68 minutes. Freshmen Tay Collum and Izzy Varnado also made their first collegiate appearances for the Green and Gold on Friday night.
The Blazers return to the pitch on Friday, August 24, when they make the short drive south to face another in-state foe in the Auburn Tigers. Kickoff from the Auburn Soccer Complex is slated for 6:30 p.m.
For more information on the UAB women's soccer team follow the Blazers on Twitter and Instagram (@UAB_WSOC).
Despite being outshot 15-5, the Blazer defense was able to limit the damage in large part to goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty's heroics between the pipes after she came up with five big saves.
"The message we gave the girls is that you cannot play at this level and not play for more than 80 minutes," head coach Erica Demers said. "I think our team was flat tonight. I thought we played good soccer for 35 or 40 minutes, but that was it. At this level, you can't make mistakes and not play well for long stretches of time and expect a good result."
South Alabama's offense was in full force in the opening half, peppering nine shots and forcing Daugherty into three saves. However, the Blazer defense held firm and kept the match scoreless at the break.
The game's lone goal came in the 50th minute of play when a Daugherty save fell to the waiting feet of South Alabama's Abi Mills, who fired home from close range to put the visitors up 1-0.
UAB had a good bout of possession over the next 15 minutes, with Megan Hudgens and Jamiera Lunsford each having a crack on goal. Despite that pressure, the Blazers were unable to find the back of the net as the Jags went on to win the match.
Junior Natalie Presedo finished the night with a career-best two shots in 65 minutes of action, while Brenda Bishop earned her first collegiate start after playing 68 minutes. Freshmen Tay Collum and Izzy Varnado also made their first collegiate appearances for the Green and Gold on Friday night.
The Blazers return to the pitch on Friday, August 24, when they make the short drive south to face another in-state foe in the Auburn Tigers. Kickoff from the Auburn Soccer Complex is slated for 6:30 p.m.
For more information on the UAB women's soccer team follow the Blazers on Twitter and Instagram (@UAB_WSOC).
Team Stats
USA
UAB
Goals
1
0
Shots
15
5
Shots on Goal
6
1
Saves
1
5
Corners
8
5
Fouls
7
4
Scoring Plays
Mills,Abi (1)
GOAL by USA Mills,Abi (FIRST GOAL), goal number 1 for season.
49:41
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Women's SoccerForward
/ Women's SoccerMidfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
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