The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Illinois-Chicago
Men's Soccer Team Stuns No. 10 UIC, 3-1
9/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 4, 2009
CHICAGO - Sophomore forward Babayele Sodade (Windsor, Ontario) scored two goals to lead the UAB men's soccer team to a stunning upset over 10th-ranked UIC, 3-1, on Friday night at Flames Field. Sodade's two goals were not only the first two career tallys of his career, but he also recorded his first career game-winning goal in the victory.
With the victory, the Blazers defeated the highest ranked opponent since a 2-1 victory over then-No. 10 Indiana on Sept. 21, 2007.
"I thought we played very well tonight against one of the better team's in the country," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "We scored two goals early, which made the game easier for us. UIC is a great team that made the Sweet 16 two years in a row and they are an NCAA Tournament-caliber team again this year.
"I could go through every player on the roster and each one of them played terrific," Getman said. "I thought Carl (Woszczynski) played a great game in goal and I thought our center backs did a terrific job against a potent offensive attack. It was a great team effort."
UAB (1-1) wasted no time grabbing an early lead as junior Kevin Sawchak opened the scoring in the 18th minute with his first goal of the 2009 campaign and fifth goal of his career.
The Atlanta, Ga. native scored after a scrum in front of the Flames net after a shot by senior All-America candidate Two-Boys Gumede. After the initial save was made, the UIC defenders could not clear the ball and Sawchak slipped a shot from 10-yards out, past UIC All-American goalkeeper Jovan Bobonja to give his team an early 1-0 lead.
Just over two minutes later it was Sodade's turn. The sophomore forward beat several UIC defenders and deposited a shot into the top left corner to give the Blazers a big two-goal advantage.
However, the game was far from over as UIC poured on the pressure in the second half. The Flames hard work eventually paid off in the 81st minute, when freshman Josh Beard beat UAB goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski into the top right side to cut the Blazers' lead in half, 2-1.
But Sodade sealed the contest just under a minute later when he took advantage of a UIC mistake deep in the Flames' defensive third of the field and beat Bobonja to secure the UAB victory.
The Blazers recorded six shots on the night with all six shots coming on frame. Sodade and Gumede led the team with two shots apiece. The Flames had five shots, but only one on goal.
UAB will return to action on Monday, Sept. 7, when they play host to Centenary at 2 p.m. at West Campus Field.
Monday's match is free to UAB students who have a valid student ID. Students and UAB men's soccer season ticket holders are encouraged to come and enjoy free food and drinks at a pregame tailgate that will begin 60 minutes before the game (1 p.m.).
