The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Alabama
Women's Soccer Wins Season Opener At Alabama, 2-0
8/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 21, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The UAB women's soccer team scored a goal in each of the two periods on its way to a 2-0 season-opening victory at Alabama on Friday evening at the Alabama Soccer Complex. Sophomore forward Tiffini Turpin scored the first goal of the game in the seventh minute, followed by a goal by senior forward Danya Barsalona in the 65th minute to lead the Blazers over the Crimson Tide.
UAB starts the season 1-0, while the Crimson Tide fell to 0-1 in their first outing of the year. UAB's win also increased the Blazers' lead in the all-time series with Alabama, 7-2-1.
Turpin, a native of Birmingham, Ala., scored her goal on a cross from the left from Barsalona that went in the top right side of the net for the lone goal of the first half, giving UAB a 1-0 edge at the break.
Barsalona tallied a goal of her own in the 65th minute of the contest when sophomore Laura McCalla executed a pass through the middle to Barsalona, who knocked in it bottom right corner to make the final score 2-0 in favor of the Blazers.
"Coming down here and playing at Alabama is always a good experience," said UAB head coach Paul Harbin. "To play against one of (Alabama head coach) Todd Bramble's teams and come out successful is quite an accomplishment."
Barsalona and Turpin were two of UAB's top offensive players a season ago. With two goals and one assist between the two, they started 2009 how they left off last year.
"The most important thing for goal scorers is to get them confidence," said Harbin. "Both Danya and Tiffini played with confidence tonight. Both goals were beautiful and well-executed goals. For us, getting them to score early in the season will be key in getting their confidence up for the rest of the year."
UAB led in shots, 13-9, taking seven shots in the first half and six during the second 45 minutes. The Blazers also led in shots on goal, with five compared to two for the Crimson Tide.
McCalla and sophomore Carolyn Polcari paced UAB in shots with three each. Turpin and junior Allison Belsterling chipped in two shots apiece for the Blazers.
Rosaly took a team-high three shots for Alabama, followed by Brooke Rogers and Kaitlyn Smith with two each.
UAB junior goalkeeper Kate Blankenship recorded two saves, one in each half, to earn the shutout and preserve the win for the Blazers.
Justine Bernier received the loss in goal for Alabama, allowing two goals and grabbing three saves on the night.
"Tonight was a big game for us," said Blankenship. "We felt like we had something to prove tonight. We went out and played hard from the first whistle. Sometimes it takes us a few minutes to settle in the game, but that wasn't the case tonight. We played hard and fast right from the beginning."
The Blazers will return to action on Sunday when they host Ole Miss for their 2009 home opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT at West Campus Field.
"This win will help set the tone for the rest of the season," said Barsalona. "It's always nice to start the year off with a victory. We've been working hard all preseason and now we are ready to take on the challenging schedule ahead of us."
