The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
UCF
Men's Soccer Team Downs League-Leading UCF, 2-1
10/29/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 29, 2010
ORLANDO, Fla. - Senior midfielder Kevin Sawchak recorded his first career multi-goal game to lift the UAB men's soccer team past 18th-ranked and Conference USA-leading UCF, 2-1, here Friday night.
The Blazers, which improved to 9-5-1 overall and 3-3 in league play, not only snapped the Knights' nine-game unbeaten streak, but also handed UCF (10-3-2, 4-1-2 C-USA) its first league loss of the season. Furthermore, it was the first home defeat for the Knights this season. Entering the match, the Knights had outscored opponents 18-1 on their home field, with five shutouts in six previous games at the UCF Soccer Complex.
The contest marked the Blazers' third in the last seven days, two of which went to double overtime. UAB will now have a five-day break before its next contest, which is a welcome break according to head coach Mike Getman.
"This was a great win for us over a very good UCF team," Getman said. "Kevin had a great game both offensively and defensively and Carl (Woszczynski) was terrific in goal. He was the difference in the game. Our guys battled really hard for 90 minutes and I am proud of them.
"We've played three games in the last week, two of which were on the road and two went to double overtime, so we are a tired team. This has been a really difficult three-game stretch so now we are looking forward to a couple days of rest."
Sawchak wasted no time getting things started, as he scored the fastest goal this season for UAB with a marker just 2:11 into the opening half. The goal came when he buried a shot off a rebound to get the Blazers an early one-goal advantage. Junior forward Babayele Sodade and senior midfielder Victor Sambade were each credited with assists.
The score would remain the same as both teams headed into the locker rooms.
However, the Knights would answer only 1:37 into the second half when Nic Keown-Robson scored an assist from A.J. Nelson, as he deposited a shot past UAB goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski to even things at 1-1.
But Sawchak would respond less than six minutes later when he scored in the 53rd minute. The senior co-captain recorded his second goal when he blistered a shot from 25 yards out that deflected off a UCF defender and into the back of the net .
Woszczynski was outstanding in the net, as he finished the contest with six saves on the night. Meanwhile, UCF keeper Shawn Doyle allowed more than one goal in a game for only the third time this season, while also making a pair of saves.
The Knights finished with a 21-7 advantage in shots; however, only one-third of their shots were on frame, while four of the Blazers' seven shots were on goal.
UAB will look to keep the momentum rolling when it returns to West Campus Field for Senior Night on Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. The contest will also mark Alumni Night as the program welcomes back former players.
Admission is free to all UAB students with a valid ID. Students and season ticket holders are encouraged to attend a pregame tailgate with free food and drinks beginning approximately 90 minutes prior to the start of the match.
