UAB Defeats Wake Forest in First Round of NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament

Briana McCarty

The UAB women’s soccer team looked extremely comfortable in its inaugural NCAA Tournament game and that comfort level translated into a historic win as the Blazers shutout Wake Forest, 2-0, on Friday evening at the UT Soccer Complex to win their first NCAA Tournament game and advanced to Sunday’s second round to face host and No. 11 national seed Tennessee.

The Blazers (16-5-1) won their eighth-straight match and won for the 12th time in the last 13 matches. UAB will meet Tennessee for the first time in regular-season play. The Blazers blanked the Lady Volunteers, 4-0, in an exhibition match last season. UAB earned its eighth shutout of the season which ties a school record for shutouts in a single season. Wake Forest’s season ends at 10-7-2.

“I think the field was very soft tonight and the rain was no big deal, but the field being so soft makes it a little bit difficult and kind of wears you out trying to move around on it,” said UAB head coach Paul Harbin. “I do not necessarily think that worked in either of our favor, because generally I think us and Wake Forest were two teams of a similar style.”

“Getting off to a fast start tonight really meant a lot for us, and for the last several games we have tried to go at people as early as possible and take advantage of that,” said Harbin. “To be able to go at them and get two shots right away put us in good position. Unfortunately I think once we went up by two we sat back a bit and allowed them to make us play back on our heels for the rest of the half.”

The Blazers took an early lead in the match as senior Briana McCarty rifled a direct kick into the back of the net past a wall of Demon Deacon defenders. The goal, which was scored just 3:58 into the match, came after a Wake Forest penalty as a Demon Deacon player passed the ball back to Wake goalkeeper Heather Currie inside the box and Currie picked it up, which merited a penalty. Freshman Jill Porto tapped the ball to McCarty who found the net.

UAB made it 2-0 at the 35:33 mark as senior midfielder Liz Bosscher sent a shot from 30 yards out which sailed over Currie’s head into the net. The goal was Bosscher’s fifth of the season, and all five of her goals have come in the last five games of the season. Wake Forest took 11 shots in the first half but UAB goalkeeper Katie Forbis made four saves in the period.

Forbis made a fantastic save to maintain the Blazer lead with just over 22 minutes remaining in the first half as she leapt across the center of the net and caught Lindsey Jaco’s header. Defender Pam Cooney knocked away another Demon Deacon shot at the left post at the 14-minute mark as the Blazers dodged another bullet.

“It was really fun and I am really proud of my team for getting here and having the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament,” said Forbis. “We have worked really hard all season fitness-wise and defensively and we worked really hard and this is where it pays off,” said Forbis.

The Blazers allowed 26 shots by the Demon Deacons but as has been the case for the better part of the season, UAB’s defense was air-tight and did not allow a score. UAB took only eight total shots and five on goal, but scored on two of them.

“It is an incredible feeling, the atmosphere is incredible,” said McCarty. “Just walking on the field and watching Tennessee play Furman before our game just got us pumped up.”

“We are so excited to be here and are trying to take advantage of the opportunity,” said McCarty.

Tennessee blanked Furman, 2-0, in Friday’s first game to advance to Sunday’s second round match. The Lady Vols (16-4-2) and Blazers will play for the right to advance to the Sweet 16 on Sunday at 2 p.m.