The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Charlotte
Men's Soccer Team Downs Charlotte, 2-1, In Overtime
9/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 10, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Junior forward Babayele Sodade scored on a penalty kick in overtime to lift the UAB men's soccer team past Charlotte, 2-1, on the opening day of the UAB `Soccer For A Cure' Classic at West Campus Field.
It was the second contest of the two-day, four-team event, as Memphis defeated North Florida, 6-0, in game one. It was the most goals ever scored by a team in a game in the Classic's 13-year history.
"I am very happy with this outcome," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "I thought in the first half, Charlotte really took it to us and was the better team. Second half, I thought we did a nice job of taking the game to them. It was two great teams playing a great game and in the end, we found a way to win."
For Sodade, it marked his third goal in as many games and his first game-winner of the season. The penalty kick was awarded to UAB at the 96:02 mark of the contest - just 6:02 into the first overtime.
The Blazers were somewhat fortunate to get to that point, as Charlotte looked as it might have won the game in the 94th minute when a 49er player headed a ball in off a corner kick. However, the officials made a handball call, nullifying the potential game-winner.
Charlotte struck first in the 27th minute as Tyler Gibson scored off a pass from Evan James to put the 49ers up 1-0. Gibson scored after receiving a pass from James and beat UAB keeper Carl Woszczynski into the lower right side of the net.
The Blazers would answer just before the halftime whistle. Senior forward Anthony King beat his man in the corner and blistered a low cross that went in front of the goal mouth to the far post. Senior midfielder Victor Sambade was there to one-time a shot into past a Charlotte defender and into the back of the net to even things at one apiece as the teams went into the locker room.
The Blazers were outshot, 13-10, but owned a 7-5 advantage on shots after intermission.
UAB goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski again played strong in the net, making six saves while allowing just the first-half goal. Charlotte netminder Klay Davis also played well, making four stops on the night.
The tournament's final day is on Saturday, as Memphis and Charlotte get things started with a 5 pm kickoff, followed by UAB against North Florida in the finale.
"It's going to be a challenge tomorrow," Getman said. "There aren't many times you can play back-to-back like this. I don't know what to figure out for (Saturday). We are just going to try and put the pieces back together. This will certainly be a game where depth will make a difference."
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 60 minutes prior to the start of the UAB match.
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