The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Lipscomb (Exh.)
Blazers, Bisons Battle To 2-2 Draw In Exhibition Finale
8/20/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 20, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A late goal by sophomore defender Michael Brody helped the UAB men's soccer team tie Lipscomb, 2-2, on Saturday night at West Campus Field. The Blazers, playing their final exhibition match of the year, finished the preseason with an unbeaten record of 1-0-1.
"I thought tonight we played a little bit young," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "I thought we did some nice things and maintained most of the possession, but didn't execute the way I would like to see us execute. We gave up two soft goals, but in the end we found a way to battle back and I was pleased with that."
Brody's equalizer came after UAB controlled the run of play for much of the second half. The Blazers persistence finally paid off in the 79th minute when Brody redirected a pass off a free kick from Chris Williams and chested it into the back of the net.
Things started on a good note for the visitors as Lipscomb's Andrew Chamberlain scored just 58 seconds into the game. Chamberlain gathered a loose ball and ripped a dipping shot from 30 yards out that beat UAB goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski into the top right part of the net for an early one-goal lead.
However, the Blazers would answer in the 18th minute as senior forward Babayele Sodade beat a defender and was one-on-one with the Lipscomb goalkeeper but was fouled in the box to draw a penalty kick. Sodade would then convert the PK to even things at one apiece.
The Bisons regained the lead just minutes before the half when forward Garrett Pettis stole the ball from Woszczynski and deposited it into an empty net for the 2-1 halftime lead.
The Blazers outshot the Bisons, 13-6, including a 5-3 shots-on-goal advantage. UAB also had a 7-2 edge in corner kicks on the night.
"We have done a good job getting some of our younger players some game action," Getman said. "It has been a good preseason for us overall."
The 2011 regular season starts next Saturday, Aug. 27, when UAB hosts Clemson at West Campus Field. The festivities will begin with a youth clinic at 4:30 p.m., followed by a free Full Moon Barbeque dinner for youth clinic participants and UAB students at 6 p.m. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
"It is going to be a great day for UAB soccer," Getman said. Clemson's a two-time national champion and they are going to test us in many ways. I think with the free clinic and free barbeque along with an IPad giveaway for a lucky student, I think it is going to be an exciting evening at West Campus Field."
Fans who are interested in participating in the youth clinic can show up at West Campus Field at 4:30 p.m. or call the UAB men's soccer office at 205-975-7552.
