The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Charlotte *
Men's Soccer Team Defeats Conference-Leading Charlotte, 4-0
10/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 5, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- UAB (5-3-2, 1-1-1 C-USA) used the strength of three second-half goals to blow past Charlotte here Saturday night, 4-0. The 49ers (6-3, 3-2) were in first place in the Conference USA standings coming into the game.
"This was an important win for a lot of different reasons," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "It was a great confidence builder, and gave us a good win over a very good team. Now maybe we can use this win to build some confidence."
UAB struck first at the 27:11 mark when Oswaldo Gallegos led an odd-numbered rush down the right side of the field. As Charlotte's goalkeeper Lucas Mackanos left the net to attempt to stop the attack, Gallegos passed the ball to a wide open Steven Sugar rushing down the middle of the field. The freshman walk-on was then able deposit the ball into the back of the net for his second goal of the season and a 1-0 Blazer lead.
UAB nearly made it a two-goal lead before the half, however, Rogerio Oliveira's dipping shot from 25-yards away hit the top corner of the crossbar. Gallegos then followed with a diving header that was tipped up and over the crossbar by Mackanos.
The Blazers made it 2-0 in the 60th minute when Marin Pusek passed a ball over the top of the 49er defense right to the foot of a streaking Flavio Monteiro. Monteiro was then able to touch the ball over the head of Mackanos for his team-best fourth goal of the season.
UAB put the finishing touches on the win with two goals in the final 20 minutes of the contest. Mikey Spitzer took advantage of a misplayed ball by the Charlotte goalkeeper as he stole it, and stuck in the empty-netter at the 72:20 mark. Then, at the 89:20 mark, Sugar returned the favor to Gallegos as he fed a pass to the sophomore at midfield and he took it from there, beating Mackanos to result in the 4-0 final.
The Blazers will next have another week off before traveling to Louisville, Ky. to take on the University of Louisville on Saturday, October 12, at 7 p.m.
