Two goals prove to be too much, Kentucky tops UAB 2-1
Posted on Oct 16, 2012 in Sports
UAB defense allows two goals in the second half to let go of early lead. Kyle Thompson
Saturday night, the No. 25 UAB men’s soccer team (7-4-2) started strong at West Campus field, but couldn’t keep the pace up as they fell to Kentucky (6-6-1) 2-1 in front of 411 fans.
UAB was in control of the match most of the night, but due to missed opportunities, the Blazers practically gave away a game that they should have won comfortably.
UAB was the first to strike scoring within the first 12 minutes of the game. Darion Copeland scrambled in front of the box and watched for Kentucky’s keeper, who typically stays on his line. Once he saw his opportunity, Copeland took it, sending the Blazers up 1-0.
The second half of the match was controlled by Kentucky, who played very well and did a decent job of keeping the Blazers on their heels. The Blazers made two costly mistakes that the Wildcats were all too eager to capitalize on.
This is no different from what UAB did to South Carolina a week ago. “We made two defensive mistakes and they made two goals,” said coach Getman. “Tonight we got a little tired and a little lazy, cheated ourselves and didn’t do our jobs right, and the game punishes you every time when you don’t do it right.”
UAB’s men’s soccer team prevented Kentucky from finding the back of the net during the first half but apparently the Wildcats regrouped and in the 67th and 83rd minutes of the game and found a way to take control of the ball as they deposited two goals, taking the lead and ultimately improving their conference standings at the same time.
While the Blazers outshot the Wildcats 13-8, and statistically played a great game, it was the missed opportunities and the mistakes that cost UAB another conference game.
“We had a lot of chances that we didn’t finish,” said head coach Mike Getman. “We didn’t put the game away when we had the chance to do so.”
There are several big games left, all of which are conference matches. After this loss, UAB will drop a bit in the rankings so it will be crucial going forward to minimize the mistakes and take advantage of every opportunity as soon as it’s presented.
There are several big Conference USA games left and the Blazers will have to pull together in order to make it back to the NCAA tournament.
The Blazers next Conference USA matches are set for Tuesday, 10/16/12, where the UAB will Face Tulsa at 7 p.m. followed by Marshall on Saturday, 10/20/12, at 2 p.m.; both games will be hosted at West Campus Field.
Chase Cole
Staff Writer
chascoleman@uab.edu