April 10, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB women's soccer team fell to the Mexico Under-20 National Team in penalty kicks after ending regulation in a 2-2 tie Thursday evening at West Campus Field in front of a crowd of more than 2,000. The scrimmage served as the Blazers final outing of the spring season.

"Tonight was great," said UAB head coach Paul Harbin. "It was such an honor to host the Mexico Under-20 National Team. I would like to say thank you to all of the fans who came out and made tonight an amazing atmosphere."

Mexico went up 2-0 on the Blazers when Sandra Stephany Mayor Gutierrez scored back-to-back goals in the first half. Gutierrez's first goal came at the 11 minute mark and she scored her second goal just four minutes later.

UAB responded when senior Jill Porto scored at the 35 minute mark, with the assist by freshman Justine Hartigan, to bring the Blazers within one, 2-1, going into halftime.

A foul by Mexico goalkeeper Selma Hernandez Hernandez in the 82nd minute of the game allowed UAB sophomore Danya Barsalona to score on a penalty kick to tie the game at two apiece.

After ending regulation in a 2-2 tie, Mexico outlasted the Blazers in penalty kicks, 4-3, to win the match.

Mexico outdid UAB in the shots category, 15-6, including 7-5 in shots on goal. Porto and Barsalona led the Blazers with two shots each. Dinora Garza Rodriguez paced Mexico with four shots.

UAB goalkeeper Ashley Park recorded three saves on the night and Mexico goalie nabbed five saves.

UAB was the first stop for Mexico's U20 National Team on its three-game tour of Alabama and Georgia to prepare for the Women's World Cup in Chile this November. Mexico's U20 will go on to scrimmage at Kennesaw State and the University of Georgia in the upcoming days.