#3 Oklahoma State proves too much for UAB
Posted on Sep 04, 2012 in Sports
The Lady Blazers scored their first goals of the season Friday night, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Oklahoma State Cowgirls.
Oklahoma State Defeated UAB 4-2 Friday night in a hard fought battle at West campus field. The Lady blazers started strong against the third ranked team in the nation, moving the ball really well, and causing mass confusion amongst the cowgirls.
Within the first 11 minutes of play, UAB stunned Oklahoma State when Junior Amy Harrison played a long ball down the sideline to Freshman Paige Hanks who took it in for the score.
The womens team scores first goal of the season and Paige Hanks scores first goals of her NCAA career in a losing effort to the third ranked team in the nation. Houston McDuffie/Staff Writer
“It’s really exciting” said Paige Hanks who scored the first points of the season for the Lady Blazers during her first collegiate appearance,
“I think we all played really hard, but unfortunately the score doesn’t reflect that” Hanks said. “We’ve got some things we need to work on, but we definitely showed up today.”
UAB earned a second goal scored by Sophomore Johanna Liney with 7:53 left in the game. Coach Warren said “its all about effort”. “She (Johanna Liney) fought through a lot of players, and kept her composure which enabled her to score.”
Oklahoma State made several goals that seemed as if they were scored more by chance than skill. Their first two goals came from UAB deflections; a third goal was scored off a corner kick that was headed out and back in again; and their final goal came from a penalty kick to the top right corner.
The Lady Blazers certainly have room for improvements, but being able to score against a nationally ranked team shows that they are headed in the right direction.
“We showed we can play with the best of them tonight,” Amy Harrison said. We know that we can score now so we just need to come out next game just as hard, and capitalize on our opportunities.”
The Lady Blazers have played several of the country’s top teams, and while they are 0-4 to start, there are still many things that the soccer team have left to play for this season. Scoring two goals against a top five team is good reason not to give up.
UAB is looking for their first win Sunday at 6pm when they visit Samford University.
Chase Cole
Staff Writer
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