Kehrer, Lunsford Send UAB to 2-1 Win Over UTEP

Thursday, September 27

El Paso, Texas

8 p.m.

UAB

5-4-1

UTEP

6-5-1

UAB

UTEP

Kehrer, Lunsford Send UAB to 2-1 Win Over UTEP

9/27/2018 11:03:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF) Season Stats (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM – Caroline Kehrer's second goal of the season made all the difference late on Thursday night as the UAB women's soccer team's offense exploded to help it earn a big three points on the road with a 2-1 win over UTEP.

With the victory, the Blazers extended its winning streak over the Miners to four-straight matches dating back to the 2014 season, while claiming just the second-ever win against the Miners in El Paso in program history.

"I am really proud of how our girls executed our game plan tonight," head coach Erica Demers said. "I thought our forwards did an excellent job utilizing the width and creating numerous positives in corner kicks for us. The corner kick goal was such a special goal in the delivery from (Sarah) Buse to the connection by Caroline (Kehrer). Everyone contributed in tonight's great team win."

The Blazers (5-4-1, 2-1-0) had one of their best offensive outputs of the season against the Miners, recording eight of their 13 total shots in the first half and sending in a season-high 12 corner kicks. The team's eight first-half shots are the second most in a half this season after recording nine shots in the second half against Georgia State.

Junior Natalie Presedo turned in a career high three shots on the night, with a career-best two shots on goal. Goal scorer Jamiera Lunsford also recorded three shots, while Kehrer added a pair of her own.

Defensively, the Blazers did exactly what was asked of them despite facing 16 shots, holding the Miners to just five shots on goal with only one of those finding the back of the net. Kelsey Daugherty had another outstanding performance in goal, making four crucial saves to aid the victory.

UTEP's (6-5-1, 1-2-0) lone goal came off a strike from Lauren Crenshaw, who finished the match with a team-leading three shots.

In one of the more fiery first halves that the Blazers have played in this season, it was UAB that struck first 21 minutes into the match when Mustafa found an open Lunsford streaking towards goal. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native was able to turn in the box and send a heavy shot past the UTEP keeper to put the Green and Gold ahead, 1-0.

UAB looked to be in control of the match throughout much of the half until the 37^th minute, when Jodie Enokson had her header blocked right into the path of Crenshaw, who finished past Daugherty to knot the match up at one goal apiece less than seven minutes before the break.

On the Blazers' 10^th corner kick off the evening, Buse played in a perfect ball right to the head of Kehrer, who fired home past the keeper UAB up 2-1 with under 15 minutes remaining in the game.

The Blazer defense closed out the game with poise, absorbing UTEP's relentless pressure and turning away three good looks from the Miners in the final 12 minutes to preserve a big three points on the road for the Blazers with a 2-1 victory.

UAB returns to BBVA Compass Field on Sunday when it hosts the Rice Owls at 1 p.m. Tickets for Sunday's contest are $5 for adults and $3 for youth and can be purchased at the gate, online at uabsports.com, or by calling the UAB Ticket Office at (205) 975-UAB1.

Fans can receive access to every women's soccer, men's soccer, women's basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball 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 women's soccer team follow the Blazers on Twitter and Instagram (@UAB_WSOC).