Nov. 1, 2006
DALLAS, Texas (www.ucfathletics.com) - Freshman Danya Barsalona scored in the 104th minute to lead No. 7 seed UAB to a 2-1 double overtime upset of No. 2 seed UCF in the quarterfinals of the 2006 Conference USA Women's Soccer Championship at Westcott Field on Wednesday night.
The Blazers (7-11-0) advance to the semifinals, where they will take on the winner of the East Carolina/Memphis match on Friday night. The Golden Knights (11-6-2) were eliminated from the tournament.
After a scoreless first half in which UAB outshoot UCF by a 7-5 margin, senior Jennifer Williams put the Blazers on the board. Williams collected a rebound in the box and shot the ball into the right corner in the 56th minute.
UAB's tally lit a spark to the UCF offense as the Golden Knights recorded four unanswered shots. In the 70th minute, senior Jessalyn Withers (Melbourne, Fla./Eau Gallie HS) served a corner kick into the box. Senior Kristin Bilby (Chino Hills, Calif./Ruben S. Ayala HS) took a shot that was saved by goalkeeper Katie Forbis.
Senior Roberta Pelarigo (Sao Paulo, Brazil) capitalized on UCF's renewed attack in the 85th minute when she knocked in a header off a corner kick by freshman Becca Thomas (Burlington, Wash./Homeschooled).
Although both teams found opportunities in the final minutes of regulation, neither could put the game away, forcing overtime.
UAB and UCF went without a shot in the first extra session. Barsalona scored on the only shot by either team in the second overtime. Williams fed the ball through the middle to Barsalona, who one-timed it past UCF junior goalkeeper Jennifer Manis (Pensacola, Fla./Washington HS).
The Blazers and Golden Knights finished the evening with 13 shots each, but UCF held a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks. Forbis made four saves, while Manis had six.
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