BIRMINGHAM – Asha Zuniga’s scored in the 53rd minute and Lexxe Lipsey added an insurance goal in the 69th minute as the UAB women’s soccer team opened Conference USA play with a 2-0 shutout of LA Tech on Thursday night at BBVA Field.
After a scoreless 1st half, LA Tech (4-4-0, 0-1-0 C-USA) had the first chance less than a minute into the 2nd half when Anna Loftus’ shot was stopped by a diving Anika Toth on the left side.
UAB (2-5-2, 1-0-0 C-USA) got on the board first when Kendall Page’s free kick just outside the box on the left side found Zuniga for a header past the outstretched arms of Tech keeper Libe Banuelos.
Lipsey’s goal started when Lizzie Hill delivered the ball from midfield. It ricocheted off a Tech defender and found Lipsey who placed the ball past Banuelos on the right side.
The backline only allowed 11 shots as Toth made three saves while recording her fourth career shutout.
“I’m so proud of our team right now. We’ve had a tough nonconference season and for them to play like they know they can play and for them to show it tonight was crucial,” said head Erica Demers. “Getting that first win is so important in league play. We battled hard and showed who we were in the 2nd half.”
Up next, the Blazers head to Norfolk, Va. to face Old Dominion (5-2-0, 1-0-0 C-USA). The Monarchs defeated UTSA earlier tonight 2-0 on the road.
NOTES
- Lipsey led all players with five shots
- UAB improves to 14-11-1 all-time in C-USA openers
- The Blazers have won four straight over LA Tech dating back to exactly three years ago (9/16/18)
- Of the eight meetings between the two teams, this was only the second to be decided by two goals
- The other was the Blazers 3-1 win last season in Ruston (4/10/21)
- Demers is 4-1-0 all-time against Tech
Women’s Soccer season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2021-22 Gold Card for $65 here. The 2021-22 Gold Card will get you access to all home events for Women’s Soccer, Men’s Soccer, Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Softball, and Baseball (Regions Field & Young Memorial). This card is not valid for Conference USA or NCAA Championship events.
Individual match tickets can be purchased here.
For more information on the UAB men’s soccer team, follow @UAB_WSoc on Twitter and Instagram.
