The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Depaul*
No. 22 UAB Defeats DePaul, 2-0
10/25/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 25, 2003
CHICAGO, Ill. ----- Senior forward Jose Rayo scored two goals to lead the 22nd-ranked UAB men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Conference USA rival DePaul here Saturday. It marked the Blazers' fifth consecutive game without a loss - the second longest streak of the 2003 season after UAB opened the campaign unbeaten through its first eight contests.
With the victory, the Blazers improve to 8-3-5 on the season and 3-2-2 in conference play. The Blue Demons drop to 7-9 on the campaign and 3-3 in C-USA.
"This was an ugly game but we were able to get the job done," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "It was played under tough conditions and I am proud of the way our team fought through. Jose was able to score two great goals and we came away with a great result."
The Blazers opened the scoring in the 24th minute of the opening half. Rogerio Oliveira crossed the ball to Rayo, who beat a defender and drilled the ball into the upper left corner for the 1-0 UAB lead.
UAB would then cap-off the scoring at the 69:38 mark when Leandro de Oliveira's corner kick found Rayo, who put the ball past DePaul goalkeeper Michael Timlin, giving the Blazers the final margin.
UAB outshot DePaul 19-15, while freshman goalkeeper Jeremy Drake recorded his second shutout in the last three contests, making five saves on the afternoon. Drake has allowed only two goals in four games as a starter.
The Blazers next play another crucial Conference USA game when they travel to Cincinnati, Ohio to take on the nationally-ranked Bearcats of Cincinnati on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m.
