Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Belmont women's soccer team (2-2) was unable to hold onto its early first half two goal lead on Friday night at home. The Bruins were held off in the final 23 seconds of the first overtime period by visiting UAB (2-2) falling, 3-2.
UAB opened the first half aggressively on both sides of the ball, almost playing keep away from the Bruins in an attempt to establish an early control of the game. However, BU was able to keep pace and soon took over the pace of the contest. Just 18 minutes in, senior Gretchen Sutch (Knoxville, Tenn.) served a ball into the box that was rebounded to the waiting feet of freshman Taylor Smith (Atlanta, Ga.) who found the back of the net. Two minutes later, senior Jamie Loftis (Hermitage, Tenn.) scored for the first time this season with the help of a corner kick from junior Lauren Paynter (Danville, Ky.). BU settled again into the driver's seat and kept composure through another surge by the Blazers. UAB was able to capitalize on a corner kick in the 38th minute, scoring and cutting Belmont's lead to one goal, 2-1. However, the Bruins were able to hold on to their lead heading into the break.
After the break, the teams continued clashing for more ball possession and control of game tempo. However, it would be the Blazers who would be able to make a move first. In the 60th minute, they used another corner kick to bend the ball around a crowded box and find the back of the net for the equalizer goal. With the score knotted at two, UAB ramped the game's energy up to another level in the hunt for the gamewinner in the remaining minutes of regulation. Over the final 17 minutes of the second half, the Blazers fired six shots at Belmont netminder Nicole Berner (Randolph, N.J.). However, her quick thinking between the posts stopped all of the attempts and kept the game stalemated at 2-2. A shot by junior Vanessa Pepin (Melbourne Beach, Fla.) that sailed wide of the net in the final 30 seconds would be the last of regulation.
In the overtime period, UAB again wasted little time attacking the goal. Berner continued to prove her mettle in goal, even diving through the air to make a stop in the 95th minute. However, it would be in the final 23 seconds that the Blazer would be able to come away with the win. In heavy traffic after a corner kick, UAB was able to maneuver the ball inside the ball to the waiting feet of Tiffini Turpin who snuck the ball into the bottom left corner for the gamewinner.
"UAB is a good team. They have a strong history of playing at a highly competitive level," said Head Coach Heather Henson. "We purposely put them on the schedule to play a team of their caliber to prepare for the Atlantic Sun. Their coach, Harrold Warren, is a high level coach coming from USC and this was already a high level team."
"Tonight we were faced with different style of play than we have seen in any opponent to this point. It forced us to learn how to make adjustments within the game. It wasn't the result that we wanted but it was good learning opportunity for us," Henson said. "The girls gave everything tonight and pushed through to come up with those early goals.
UAB outshot Belmont, 23-12, and recorded more corner kicks, 8-3. The Bruins grabbed more saves than the Blazers, 11-7.
Freshmen Smith (Atlanta, Ga.) and Allie Hicks (Carmel, Ind.) led BU with two shots each. Sophomore netminder Nicole Berner went the distance in goal, picking up 11 saves on the night.
Belmont returns to action on Sunday. The Bruins travel to Clarksville, Tenn., for a contest with future Ohio Valley Conference foe Austin Peay. Match time is set for 2 p.m.
