University of Alabama-Huntsville took the rematch to last week's 0:0 draw with a hard fought victory 3:1 over Christian Brothers University in the Gulf Conference Semifinals in Pensacola, FL. The win sees UAH through to the Finals and is their first GSC tournament win since 1999.
UAH hit the ground running when in the 13th minute, sophomore forward Kyle Gonclaves scored the opener. CBU pressed for the equalizer and got the crucial goal in the 44th minute through Andrew Ballard who pounced on a loose ball in the area.
However, with the score knotted at ones, UAH came out in the second half determined to fight for a spot in the finals. They would find the breakthrough at the hour mark, when Toamaki Matsuo hit a long ball behind the defense for Gonclaves to run onto. Gonclaves finished off the lightning quick counterattack with aplomb to put UAH on top 2:1.
With their season in the balance, CBU charged forward leveling shot after wayward shot at Tyler Earley in the UAH goal. Of the 20 CBU shots, fully three quarters were off target and Earley was up to the ones that were. UAH snipers were more proficient with 5 of their 7 attempts on goal find the frame.
UAH found the insurance goal in the 75th minute. Junior midfielder Brett Hughson cashed in on a Sean Kerber corner to make the score 3:1. The UAH defense mopped up the rest of the way and UAH had punched a ticket to the GSC Final where they will meet top seeded West Florida on Sunday.
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Too bad that the UAH team couldn't use their momentum and beat UWF in the final. But the boys played well and the coach's title is an acknowledgement of their outstanding soccer season.
ReplyDeleteAfter UAH had such an outstanding season and the coach being honored as coach of the year, I am really wondering why UAH doesn't have any interest in keeping the coach or to support the soccer program a little more. Hopefully they will pick a good coach who will continue the outstanding work coach Lincoln did this year. Shaking my head in disbelief...
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