The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
at Louisville*
Gbandi's Penalty Kick Heroics Lift UAB
11/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 4, 2004
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Sandy Gbandi's penalty kick goal with just 1:30 remaining lifted UAB's men's soccer team to a 2-1 road victory over Louisville Wednesday night. The victory moves the Blazers to 10-6 overall and 6-2 in Conference USA play. With a home win Saturday night against DePaul and a Memphis loss at East Carolina, UAB would clinch a share of the 2004 C-USA regular season crown.
"Louisville played a great game and played it with all their heart," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "They had a chance to make it to the Conference USA tournament if they beat us. We have a chance to tie for the regular season title if we win the game, so both teams had a lot at stake. In many ways, they out-played us tonight, but our guys hung together and found a way to win the game."
Wetumpka's Jason McLaughlin scored first for UAB on a 19th-minute cross from Leandro de Oliveira and Rogerio Oliveira. It was McLaughlin's third goal in his last five outings. and gave de Oliveira five goals and seven assists on the season. Louisville responded in the 58th minute when Tim Veltren found Justin Pierre, who beat UAB keeper A.J. Robles and tied the game at 1-1.
Gbandi's penalty kick came in the nick of time, however, as UAB snapped a two game losing skid and set up a possible title scenario with Saturday's Senior Day match up with the Blue Demons. Louisville was called for an intentional handball with just 1:30 remaining, giving Gbandi a chance to win it, and he did. It was Gbandi's second goal in as many games and his fourth of the year.
"It was a very, very physical game," Getman confirmed. "Both of us had so much to play for. I was really proud of the way our guys fought. They say to win a championship, you have to have the heart and courage of a lion. I thought our team showed those qualities tonight."
Getman's club has but one regular season match remaining before readying for the C-USA tournament, ironically back here at Cardinal Park Nov. 11-14. With a victory over DePaul at West Campus Field Saturday night, UAB can claim the last remaining quarterfinals bye in the brackets. Kickoff for the Senior Day match, which will also be the final regular season home contest for seniors Chris O'Neal, Jarbas Carlos and Rogerio Oliveira, is set for 7 p.m. (CT).
