The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
UCF
UAB Falls At UCF, 1-0
10/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 11, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. - UCF's Yaron Bacher scored a goal in the 17th minute to lead his team to a 1-0 win over UAB on Saturday night. The Blazers outshot UCF 15-8 in the contest, including a 9-0 advantage in the second half, but could not find the back of the net en route to their sixth one-goal defeat of the year.
The loss drops UAB to 4-6-2 on the year and 1-2 in Conference USA play, while the Knights improve to 6-5 overall and 3-1 in league play.
The lone goal of the contest came in the 17th minute when UCF's Yaron Bacher beat UAB goalkeeper Wes Johnson. Bacher's goal was set up by a corner kick off the foot of Kyle Ellis. After deflected off a couple of bodies, Bacher deposited his shot into the far post past Johnson.
After getting outshot 8-6 in the opening half, the Blazers dominated play over the final 45 minutes, helped by a red card issued to UCF's Joe Crawley in the 69th minute. UAB would go on to outshoot the Knights 9-0 during the second half, including a 10-0 advantage on corner kicks. However, UAB only mustered three shots on goal in the entire contest.
The Blazers missed a golden opportunity with just under 30 minutes remaining when junior midfielder Two-Boys Gumede broke into the open and had a point-blank shot, but UCF goalkeeper Sean Johnson punched the ball away to keep UAB scoreless.
UAB's Wes Johnson finished the contest with five saves, while UCF's Sean Johnson made three saves en route to his fourth shutout of the season.
The Blazers will have a week off before returning to action when they open a three-game homestand against C-USA rival Kentucky for a homecoming contest on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. at West Campus Field.
The contest, which can be followed live on Gametracker by logging on to UABsports.com, is free to UAB students who have a valid student ID. Additionally, students, UAB men's soccer season ticket holders and alumni are encouraged to come and enjoy free food and drinks at a pregame tailgate that will begin 90 minutes before the game (5:30 p.m. CT).
