Aug. 31, 2008

Final Stats

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The UAB men's soccer team gave a strong effort, but fell to No. 21 Bradley, 2-1, in the championship game of the Memphis Diadora Tournament on Sunday. The Blazers outshot the Braves by a count of 23-9, but could not find a way to put the ball in the back of the net.

UAB head coach Mike Getman felt his team controlled the majority of the play, but admitted that two defensive mistakes led to the defeat.

"We made two mistakes in the back and gave up two bad goals," Getman said. "I am pleased with our overall performance, but disappointed with the defense making two crucial mistakes. At the end of the day, when you make mistakes against a good team, you are going to lose, and Bradley made that point very clear to us."

The bright note of the day was the play of junior midfielder Two-Boys Gumede, who scored his fourth goal in four games (two exhibition) to start the season. With Bradley up 1-0 after a goal in the 32nd minute, Gumede broke free and beat goalkeeper Drew VanKampen to even the score at 1-1 in the 59th minute. With the goal, Gumede is off to one of the best starts in recent history.

"Two-Boys is on a roll and continuing to do what he is capable of," Getman said. "I am happy with the way he's been playing."

However, the score would not remain that way for long. Bradley's Chris Cutshaw, who assisted on the first goal, scored his third goal of the tournament when he beat UAB goalie Carl Woszczynski at the 62:36 mark from 10-yards out to give the Braves the lead for good.

UAB had several good scoring chances as time wound down, but VanKampen remained strong in the net, and finished the contest with eight saves.

"When Bradley took the lead, they didn't have to take risks and we were forced to take those risks," Getman said. "Give Bradley credit. They are a good team and they were able to play the way they wanted with a one-goal lead."

Gumede led the Blazers with four shots, including three on goal, while senior Frank Brown also finished with four shots on the day. In fact, 10 of the 15 field players to see time for the Blazers recorded at least one shot. UAB had nine shots on goal, and also held a 6-2 advantage on corner kicks.

The Blazers will return to the friendly confines of West Campus Field where they will host a pair of games over the weekend. UAB will host No. 16 Illinois-Chicago on Friday night at 7 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. kick off on Sunday against Mercer.

Both contests are free to UAB students who have a valid student ID. Additionally, students and UAB men's soccer season ticket holders are encouraged to come and enjoy free food and drinks at a pregame tailgate that will begin 90 minutes before each game.