Oct. 15, 2011
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (UCFAthletics.com) - Playing its third-consecutive match on the road, the No. 6 UCF men's soccer team fell 1-0 to host UAB in Conference USA play at West Campus Field Saturday evening. The loss was just the second of the season for the Knights (8-2-2, 2-1-1 C-USA).
The Blazers' Babayele Sodade scored the lone goal of the evening in the 66th minute.
UAB (8-3-2, 2-1) is listed fourth in the NSCAA Midwest Region rankings. The Blazers improved to 6-1-2 at home this year with the victory.
"We let up a goal in the second half, and we just couldn't break through," UCF head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "Give a lot of credit to UAB. Their defense held tight and their goalkeeper played very well."
Sodade notched his eighth goal of the year when he beat a UCF defender and then finished at a tough angle past junior goalkeeper Shawn Doyle (Fort Myers, Fla.).
UAB totaled nine shots, compared to eight for the Knights. Both Doyle and the Blazers' Carl Woscynski recorded three saves. UCF finished with a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.
"We had a lot of guys get quality minutes in the second half," Cunningham said. "I am pleased with our effort, but not pleased with the final result. We have a determined group of guys. We'll be ready to get back to work, and prepare to face Tulsa next weekend."
Five reserves saw time for UCF. Sophomore McKauly Tulloch (Kingston, Jamaica) registered two shots on goal for the Knights.
With the loss, the Knights moved to 4-1-2 on the road in 2011.
UCF will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at the UCF Soccer Complex against Tulsa. The match against the Golden Hurricane will be the first in Orlando since Sept. 28 for the Knights. UCF was scheduled to host South Carolina on Oct. 8, but the contest was postponed due to heavy rain.