The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
South Carolina*
South Carolina Squeaks Out 2-1 Win Over UAB
10/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 9, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Josh Alcala's cross in the 68th minute of play found its way into the net when UAB defender Joe Klosterman attempted to head the ball out. The Blazer own goal proved to be the game-winner as South Carolina squeaked out a 2-1 road Conference USA win over UAB Sunday afternoon at West Campus Field. Mike Sambursky scored the Gamecock's other tally in the fifth minute of play after intercepting a UAB pass in front.
"This was just like every other game we've lost this year," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "I thought we controlled the overall tempo of the match. We dominated possession. We played well overall, but made a couple of mistakes in the back, gave them two goals and lost. We continue to make mistakes in the back and when you make mistakes against good teams, you pay for it."
Maurice Hughes notched UAB's goal after gathering a rebound from Jason McLaughlin's header in the 27th minute. The match was tied 1-1 at the intermission.
South Carolina and UAB proved to be a dead heat in the box score as the Gamecocks tallied a narrow, 15-14, advantage in shots and a 6-5 margin in shots on goal. UAB net-minder A.J. Robles notched four saves in the match while USC's Mike Gustavson tallied three at the other end.
The win gives South Carolina (5-5-1) seven points and moves the Gamecocks into a second place tie in league standings with Florida International and behind league-leader SMU. The Mustangs (6-4-2) won their fourth straight league match with a 2-1 win at Kentucky Sunday and have 12 points on the season with a 4-0-0 league record. Memphis (5-4-2, 1-1-2 C-USA) is in fourth place with five points after a 7-2 win over East Carolina Sunday. UAB's four points have the Blazers tied for fifth in Conference USA, along with Kentucky, UCF and Marshall.
UAB's three game home stand comes to a close with a dandy. The Blazers host defending C-USA champion Memphis at 7 p.m. CT Saturday, Oct. 15 at West Campus Field in a rematch of last season's league title game. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children. UAB students are admitted free with a valid UAB I.D. Card.
