Sept. 23, 2006

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A goal by senior forward Lukasz Kwapisz in the 81st minute of action lifted the No. 25 UAB men's soccer team to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Marshall in both teams' Conference USA opener. The goal for Kwapisz marked the third consecutive game the Oshawa, Ontario native has scored, including netting a goal in five of the last six contests.

Kwapisz's game-winner came at the 80:17, as he received a pass from freshman Jonah Stewart and drilled the ball into the back of the net. Stewart, who had just entered the contest, recorded his first career point as a Blazer with the helper.

"We played a great second half," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "We had 12 shots in the half and when you have that many shots, you are bound to score. We hit two posts and scored two goals in the half, so we were creating a lot of chances.

"Lukasz and Jerson (Monteiro) both have been able to score a lot of goals for us this season," Getman said. "Really, scoring has not been our problem this year. Giving up too many goals is what has hurt us. I am pleased with the result and pleased with our defensive effort."

Things did not start off well for UAB (5-3-1, 1-0 C-USA). The Thundering Herd dominated the opening half, outshooting the Blazers 11-1. Marshall (3-5-1, 0-1 C-USA) scored its lone goal of the game at the 25:32 mark of the opening half. After UAB goalkeeper Jeremy Drake mishandled a cross, Herd defender Clayton Cochrane drilled a one-time shot into the open net to give his team the one-goal lead.

However, the Blazers responded in the second half. Controlling most of the play in the opening minutes, their persistence finally paid off in the 64th minute of play. UAB forward Jerson Monteiro crossed the ball into the penalty area. Marshall goalkeeper Greg Walter dove to try and block it, but could not reach the ball. Sophomore midfielder Derek Rios was able to gather the ball and touch it into the empty net to even the game at 1-1.

The Blazers continued their relentless pressure, almost taking the lead on a couple of occasions before Kwapisz's heroics. Most notably, sophomore midfielder Trey Gregory drilled a header, which beat the Herd goalkeeper, but hit the crossbar and was pushed out of bounds.

Redshirt freshman Wes Johnson, who replaced senior Jeremy Drake in the net at the half, collected one save in earning his second victory of the season. Drake had four saves in the opening half.

Kwapisz led the Blazers with four shots in the contest, including three on goal, while the Herd was led by Kolby Lacrone and Shintaro Inagaki with three shots on the afternoon.

UAB will next be in action when it travels to face No. 11 South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. The game will be televised on tape delay by CSTV, and will kick off at 7 p.m. EST.