University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
UAB
Soccer Downs UAB 1-0 in Overtime
9/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 28, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala - The Southern Miss Soccer team used a goal by sophomore Samantha Polley in the first overtime period to defeat UAB 1-0 at the West Campus field in Birmingham, Ala. Sunday afternoon.
"Anytime you can go on the road in this conference and get a win it is huge," head coach Scott Ebke said. "I thought the team played very well today and did the things we asked of them."
Southern Miss (5-4-1, 1-1-0) had their best scoring opportunity in regulation with about five minutes remaining as Obafemi Alao served a perfect pass to a wide open Sarah McFadden inside the box. McFadden headed the ball that appeared to be headed into the back of the net before UAB's keeper made a diving stop to keep the game tied.
At the end of regulation UAB (3-7-0, 1-1-0) had out shot the Golden Eagles 16-6, though only five Blazer shots were on goal. The Blazers forced 10 corners to Southern Miss' three.
In the overtime period Southern Miss took control of the game taking two shots and forcing two corner kicks, the second corner turned out to be the game winner.
With about three minutes left in the freshman Jordan Gauthier took a throw-in for Southern Miss and the UAB defender played the ball out of bounds through the end-line forcing a corner kick for the Golden Eagles.
Junior Sarah DeFatta took the kick on the left wing, serving the ball perfectly into the box amidst the UAB defenders. Sophomore Samantha Polley was able to get a good touch with her left foot and beat the UAB keeper upper-far post.
"We have been in close games all season and came up on the short end a couple of times, it is all about perseverance and we preached that at practice all week. It paid off today with a big goal at the end," Ebke added.
Southern Miss keeper Holly Cox picked up her fourth shutout of the season, recording six saves in the game.
The Golden Eagles will return to action next weekend for the C-USA home opener as they host East Carolina on Friday and Marshall on Sunday.
"I think the opening weekend in this conference showed across the board that everyone is out to play and anyone can beat anyone. We are excited to return home and play after opening on the road this weekend," Ebke said. -southernmiss.com-
