The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Indiana
Blazers Lose Hearbreaker to 12th-ranked Indiana, 2-1
8/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 27, 2006
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The UAB men's soccer team lost a heartbreaker to 12th-ranked Indiana, 2-1, in the championship game of the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament at the University of Notre Dame on Aug. 27. The Blazers, which defeated 15th-ranked and tournament host Notre Dame, 1-0, on Aug. 25, conceded a goal to the Hoosiers in the 89th minute of action to drop to 1-1 on the young season.
"I thought we played very well throughout the whole weekend," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "It was a disappointing loss to Indiana, but our guys showed a lot of fight and courage. We certainly played well enough to win this game, and I am proud of our efforts."
Facing overtime with the game tied 1-1 as the minutes ticked down, Indiana (2-0) capitalized on a corner kick that resulted in the winning goal. IU's John Michael Hayden took the kick, finding Brian Ackley, who then headed it to Julian Dieterle. Dieterle was able to head the ball past UAB goalkeeper Jeremy Drake for the win. Drake would finish the contest with six saves, giving the Birmingham, Ala., native a total of 14 saves during tournament play.
Much like the opening game, the Blazers again showed fight in the championship contest. After giving up an early goal to Indiana 26 seconds into the contest, UAB answered just minutes before the end of the first half. Senior forward Jerson Monteiro, who scored the game-winner over Notre Dame in the opening game, received a low cross from sophomore Logan Alexander, and was able to redirect it past Hoosier goalie Chay Cain into the right side of the net. It was Monteiro's second goal in two contests. The score remained that way until Dieterle's heroics just one minute prior to the end of regulation.
Three UAB players earned all-tournament accolades during the weekend. Monteiro was joined by sophomore defender Dejan Jakovic on the team, while Drake earned all-tournament honors, and was also selected as the Most Valuable Goalkeeper of the tournament.
UAB returns home to host the UAB Classic on Friday, Sept. 1, and Sunday, Sept. 3. After Birmingham-Southern and Wright State play the tournament opener at 5 p.m., the Blazers will battle Mercer at 7:30 p.m. Sunday's contests pits Mercer and Birmingham-Southern at noon, followed by UAB and Wright State at approximately 2:30 p.m. The games will take place at UAB's West Campus Field.
UAB students who come for the Blazers' game against Mercer on Friday night and present a valid ID, will receive a free t-shirt, as well as a free dinner. Come show your school spirit for the UAB men's soccer team.
