Blazers Fall In Rain Soaked Contest

Friday, August 31

BBVA Compass Field

7 p.m.

UAB

1-2-0

Fairleigh Dickinson

2-0-1

OT 2

Fairleigh Dickinson

UAB

Blazers Fall In Rain Soaked Contest

9/1/2018 12:41:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Battling tough field conditions and a two-and-half hour first half weather delay, the UAB men's soccer team fell 2-1 in overtime to Fairleigh Dickinson (FDU) Friday night in its opening match of the Soccer for a Cure Classic.

The two squads battled for 33 minutes before lightening and rain moved into the Birmingham area halting the first half with 12:10 left on the clock.

"I thought we had good control of the game until the weather interrupted us, but FDU came out with more energy than we did to start the game," head coach Mike Getman said. "They got a goal quickly, which made things difficult for us. Once we got going we took control of the last 25-30 minutes of the game, but we had already given away one goal and didn't play a good 90 minutes. We had good moments, but not a good 90 minutes and if you don't play all 90 minutes you're going to lose matches."

Following the delay, FDU found the net at the 35' minute mark as Ahu Obhakhan scored on an assist from Alvaro Rubio to make the contest 1-0.

UAB tied the match at one in the 65th minute as Gael Mabiala capitalized on a FDU foul as the senior scored his first career goal.

The matched remained tied until the 98th minute when the Knights scored the golden goal to win the contest.

UAB has played three consecutive extra time matches to begin its season, marking the first time the Blazers have competed in three straight over time contests since 2011.

"We have played in three overtime games to begin the season, but that is not the reason for the loss," Getman said. "We don't have a team on our schedule that is just going to roll over and let us win the game. FDU fought and battled hard to do everything it could. Once you get to overtime and you're playing a man down it's tough."

UAB wraps up the Soccer for a Cure classic on Sunday when it takes on Coastal Carolina. Kickoff between the Blazers and Chanticleers is slated for 1:30 p.m.

"We need to come out with the same energy and control that we did at the start of the match," Getman said. "This team has performed well in every match, we just need to make sure that we do it for 90 minutes, if we do we'll be just fine."

Fans can get access into every home men's soccer, women's soccer, women's basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball game for the entire 2018-19 season by purchasing a Gold Card. Contact the UAB Ticket Office, (205) 975-UAB1, for more details.

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