BIRMINGHAM, Ala -- The Fairleigh Dickinson men's soccer team had to settle for a 2-2 tie Friday night against UAB in the UAB "Soccer For A Cure" Classic. With the draw, the Knights are now 3-1-1 on the season, while the Blazers go to 3-2-2 overall.

FDU held a 2-0 lead with a one-man advantage with approximately 19 minutes remaining in the second half but saw UAB score twice in the final 12 minutes of the half to tie the game at two. The equalizer came in the 87th minute.

Underdogs in the match because of UAB's top-30 ranking and playing on the host's home pitch, the Knights came out agressive and controlled the first 45 minutes. FDU did not waste time as sophomore Anders Vest-Hansen delivered a perfect corner kick to fellow classmate Nico Wright, who found the back of the net in the ninth minute with a perfectly placed header to give the Knights a 1-0 lead. The goal was Wright's fourth of the season, which have all came in the last three matches

Over the first 45 minutes, each team took six shots with FDU outshooting the Blazers on goal 2-0. Both teams also had three corner kicks apiece. 

The second half was a different story as the home team came out attacking the Knights' defense. For most of the second half, FDU rose to the challenge, frustrating UAB numerous times with big defensive plays.

In the 59th minute, Wright found sophomore Godfred Baafi, who put the Knights up 2-0 with his first career goal. 

For the second time in three matches, FDU caught another break in terms of an opposing player being ejected for picking up a second yellow card. The Blazers' Norris Howze was removed from the game in the 72nd minute, which allowed the Knights to play with a one-man advantage the rest of the way.

Early in the 79th minute, UAB's Karl Chester found himself alone on a breakaway, but junior goalkeeper Jacob Lissek had different ideas as he made a terrific save diving to his left. However, the ball bounced right to Kofi Gyawu of the Blazers, who easily scored to cut the deficit to 2-1.

With under four minutes to go, Lissek was under a ton of pressure in the box. He came out and punched the ball away to Chester, and his shot was then deflected of Lissek, tying the game at two.

Neither team scored the rest of regulation, which resulted in overtime. UAB outshot FDU 12-2 over the second 45 minutes.

Heading into overtime, the Knights still held the one-man advantage. They had a few opportunites over the pair of 10-minute halves including a near miss that went over the crossbar off the foot of senior Jack McVey in the second overtime.

The Blazers outshot FDU 5-2 in the overtimes and 23-10 overall. After not having to make a save in the first half, the Knights finished with eight for the match with Lissek making six. Five of the saves took place in the second half with the other three coming in overtime.

"What an exciting game. We played really well against a very, very good out-of-region team on their home field and were unlucky not to win," Head Coach Seth Roland said. "I am so proud of the guys and the effort they put into it tonight. On the one hand, one might say that we might have managed the last 12 minutes of regulation better, but on the other hand, they were extremely big, athletic and dangerous, while putting a ton of pressure on."

"We regrouped and dominated overtime (particularly the second one) and were so close on a few occassions to scoring the game winner. The guys did themselves, the program and the university very proud tonight."

FDU will have a day off before returing to action on Sunday afternoon against Memphis, who played nationally-ranked Washington in the match before, falling 1-0 in overtime. Kickoff between the Knights and the Tigers is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

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