BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The No. 8 UAB men’s soccer team (3-0-1) played No. 21 Charlotte to a scoreless tie on Friday night at West Campus Field. Friday night’s match marked the second game in the 2013 UAB “Soccer for a Cure” Classic.

“It was a very tough game against one of the most physical teams in the country,” head coach Mike Getman stated. “Our players were disappointed with a tie at the end and I think that’s good. If you feel disappointed that you tied the No. 21 team in the country then it tells you what your team and players expect from themselves."

Physicality was the name of the game in each team’s first Conference USA matchup of the year. In total, three red cards and three yellow cards were handed out and the two squads committed 35 fouls.

“It was a very physical game, it always is with Charlotte,” said Getman. “I thought our kids stood up to the physical battle, but we also had a red card and shouldn’t have. We need to keep our cool when on the field.”

UAB had one of its best opportunities early in the match. In the 29th minute, senior midfielder Norris Howze sent a rocket towards the goal from outside the box. The ball ricocheted off the cross bar, keeping the Blazers off the board.

Over the next eight minutes, three red cards and two yellow cards were dealt. In the process, Charlotte lost two players and UAB senior defender Moses Adeniran was ejected.

The Blazers could never fully capitalize off the man advantage. Despite being down a player, Charlotte still managed to outshoot the Green and Gold in the second stanza, 6-2. Senior goalkeeper Raphael Ville kept the 49ers at bay, recording one save in the frame.

After a scoreless 90 minutes of play, the two teams would head into overtime. The two teams would play an extra 20 minutes, but neither could find the golden goal. Sophomore forward Freddy Ruiz was the only player to have a shot on goal in the final two periods, but was stymied by Charlotte’s Klay Davis.

UAB will return to the field on Sunday, Sept. 15 in the final match of the UAB “Soccer for a Cure” Classic. The Blazers will take on East Tennessee State, who played Memphis to a scoreless draw earlier in the day, at 2:30 p.m. at West Campus Field.

Notes: For the second consecutive season, the Blazers and 49ers played to a draw in the regular season … Senior Raphael Ville notched his fifth career clean sheet.

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