BIRMINGHAM – Lizzie Hill scored 56 seconds into the second overtime to give UAB a thrilling 2-1 victory over UTEP on Thursday night. The win, which was on Senior Night, improves the Blazers to 6-8-3 overall and 4-3-1 in Conference USA play on the final night of the regular season.
After a scoreless 1st half, UAB scored first when Asha Zuniga’s header off a Jessica Wheeler corner kick found the back of the net past UTEP keeper Luisa Palmen in the 73rd minute.
However, the Miners (4-12-0, 1-7-0 C-USA) got the equalizer in the 89th minute on a goal by Kristen Prevosto.
The Blazers had the first chance to score in the first overtime. Wheeler’s free kick found Morgan Halliwill on the left side, but Palmen was able to get a hand on the ball in the 95th minute. Lexxe Lipsey had a chance in the 96th minute, but was stopped by Palmen.
Hill’s game-winner started when Audria Wood took the ball into the left corner. She dribbled around the two Miners defenders, her cross found Laura Zemberyova, but her shot was blocked by UTEP’s Zoe Collyer. Zemberyova’s second attempt found Lipsey, who touched it to Hill, who buried the shot on the short side.
The Blazers dominated shots 25-6 and corners 13-1. Lipsey had a career-high eight shots, Zemberyova added five and Stella Kiss had four.
“To make special moments happen like tonight, you need special players and Audria Wood got it done for us tonight,” said head coach Erica Demers. “She’s been phenomenal for us for five years and she showed in one moment just how great she is.”
“From this game we can fine tune a few more things that we need to work on to help us for our first match in the conference championship,” added Demers.
The Blazers finish tied for tied for second with Rice in the West Division with 13 points.
The official seedings for the 2021 Conference USA Championship will be released by the conference late Thursday night.
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.
For more information on the UAB women’s soccer team, follow @UAB_WSoc on Twitter and Instagram.
