The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Virginia
Blazers Drop 2-1 Decision At No. 2 Virginia
9/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 3, 2010
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. --- Junior forward Babayele Sodade scored to give UAB a late lead, but the Blazers could not hang on, dropping a 2-1 decision at No. 2 Virginia in the opening round of the Virginia Classic on Friday night. The contest was the season opener for both teams.
"I thought we played well and I am extremely proud of our team and the way we competed," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "Virginia played well and controlled a lot of the run of play, but I thought we created some dangerous chances. In the end, I am disappointed in the result, but happy with how we played when you consider we were playing the defending national champions on their home field."
It was the first time in school history the Blazers took on a reigning national champion, and it looked as if it was going to be a night to remember when Sodade broke a scoreless tie in the 58th minute. Sodade scored after receiving a pass from sophomore Flo Liu and on a bending shot from 18-yards out into the far post.
However, the Cavaliers would even things just a few minutes later when the UAB defense gave up a penalty kick at the 60:39 mark. UAB goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski was able to get a hand on the penalty from Virginia's Sean Hiller, but could not stop it from going in as UVA evened the score at one apiece.
The Cavaliers took the league for good in the 74th minute when Hiller crossed a ball to teammate Will Bates whose header beat Woszczynski.
Sodade would have a chance to even the game in the 79th minute, but UVA goalie and preseason All-America Diego Restrepo was up for the challenge and kept his team ahead.
The Blazers were outshot on the night, 20-5, including a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks. UAB was also whistled for 18 fouls, compared to on eight fouls against the Cavaliers. Woszczynski played spectacular in the net, making eight saves on the night.
"The stats don't tell the whole story," Getman said. "We scored a terrific goal, but they tied it up on a controversial penalty against us. Until that point, we had the momentum. The penalty kick clearly changed momentum of the game and it gave them life. It was a disappointing way to lose."
This marks just the fifth time the Blazers have dropped a season-opening match under Getman's 19 seasons at the helm of the program (12-5-2).
UAB will return to action on Sunday afternoon when it takes on Virginia Tech at noon ET (11 am CT) in the final round of the Virginia Classic.
