Big Second Half Lifts UAB Women's Soccer Past LA Tech 3-1, Blazers Earn Berth in C-USA Championship

RUSTON, La. – UAB women’s soccer team scored three times in the 2^nd half to defeat Louisiana Tech 3-1 on Saturday morning. With the victory, the Blazers (8-5-1, 3-3-0 C-USA) earn a berth in the 2021 Conference USA Championship.

Kassandra Daniel was inches away from getting UAB on the board in the 16^th minute, but her shot rang off the crossbar. The Blazers continued applying pressure over the next two minutes with Stella Kiss and Sarah Buse both firing shots, but could not register a shot on goal.

In total, UAB had eight shots in the 1^st half to LA Tech’s three, but with 22 seconds remaining until halftime, Klesha Darroux was able to get the ball past Blazers keeper Anika Toth for the only goal of the half.

The Blazers got the equalizer in the 72^nd minute when Daniel headed a Buse cross into the lower left side of the net. One minute and eight seconds later, Kiss was awarded a PK after Tech committed a foul in the box. She buried the ball in the left corner to put the Blazers ahead 2-1.

In the 83^rd minute, Morgan Halliwill added an insurance goal, placing a perfect kick into the upper right corner of the net.

“We are unbelievably proud of our team. They showed a side that we have yet to see this season,” said head coach Erica Demers. “There was so much against us for this game and our players battled with every ounce of them. We will rest, recover and get ready for Houston!”

UAB has earned the No. 4 seed in the West Division and will play No. 1 East Division seed WKU on April 13 at 11 a.m. in the quarterfinals of the C-USA Championship. The entire event will be played in Houston, Texas and will be hosted by Rice.

GAME NOTES

UAB outshot LA Tech 16-9
Kiss led all players with four shots
- Daniel added three, Halliwill, Buse and Laura Zemberyova had two apiece
The Blazers have won two straight matches in Ruston and three straight overall against the Lady Techsters
UAB’s 16 shots were the most in a league game since the conference opener against Southern Miss on Feb. 21 when they had 18

For more information on the UAB women’s soccer team, follow @UAB_WSoc on Twitter and Instagram.