University of Houston
UAB
Soccer Ties, 1-1, To UAB In Double Overtime Sunday Afternoon
10/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Oct. 11, 2009
HOUSTON - The University of Houston soccer team tied UAB, 1-1, in double overtime Sunday afternoon at Robertson Stadium.
Houston (3-8-2, 1-3-2 C-USA) hands UAB (9-4-1, 3-2-1 C-USA) its first knot of the season. The game also marks the first tie between the two programs in school history with the all-time series standing at 3-7-1 in UAB's favor.
For the entire first half, the Cougars took advantage of their good field position, firing off seven shots including five on goal. Unfortunately for Houston, the Blazers scored on one of their few trips to the goal. Senior forward Danya Barsalona drew first blood at the 41:21 mark when she received a down field pass from freshman midfielder Carolyn Polcari and sent the ball sailing high into the net. Barsalona recorded her third goal of the season while Polcari tallied her third assist.
After play resumed in the second half, the Cougars knotted the game at the 69:33 mark when freshman forward Katelyn Rhodes collected a corner kick from defender Stephanie Derieg and shot the ball out of UAB net minder Kate Blankenship's reach.
"It's only my second collegiate goal as well as my second goal to tie up the game so it was pretty amazing," Rhodes said. "I feel like I am contributing now instead of just playing. I've only had two goals but I hope that I can step it up and keep it coming."
As the regulation clock wound down, neither team was able to break the stalemate. Houston was forced into overtime for the fourth time this season.
The Cougars held the Blazers off for an additional 10 minutes, denying them any shots on goal. Derieg was the only one able to shoot between the posts during the third period but Blakenship notched another save.
The game was pushed into double overtime, as it remained tied, 1-1. A nervous crowd watched as UAB recorded two shots on goal within the first five minutes of the fourth period. The game came dangerously close to an end in the 106th minute when senior defender Stephanie Beyelia crossed the ball just outside of the goal box. It was headed straight to the corner of the net but Blankenship was able to barely tip the ball, denying Beyelia the goal.
The game resulted in a disappointing draw after a hard fought match by both teams. The Cougars played a very proactive offensive game, as they matched their season-high record of shots on goal (8). Houston had the advantage of eight corner kicks over UAB's five and outshot the Blazers 16-8.
"We all played with heart today," Rhodes said. "It was amazing because we all played like we wanted to be out there. We played with heart and I absolutely loved it. We just have to go out there and do that every single game. If we do, then we will have a good chance of coming back and showing people that we're capable of doing anything if we puts our hearts into it."
The Cougars continue their home stand next weekend when they take on Southern Miss on Friday at 7 p.m. and UCF on Sunday at 1 p.m.
