Sept. 22, 2002

Final Stats

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Saint Louis University fell to UAB 4-2 this afternoon in Conference USA women's soccer action on a soggy, sloppy West Campus Field. The Blazers put three in the net in first half and stretched the lead to 4-0 before the Billikens' Jamie Perry netted a pair of goals to cut the lead in the half. The last of Perry's goals came with under a minute remaining as the rally fell short for Saint Louis.

UAB was on the board in the 10th minute as the Billikens gave up a deadball just outside the box. The served deflected wide to Liz Bosscher on the right side who served it to the far post for Jenny Rynders, whose volley to the top right beat Billiken goalkeeper Meghann Burke. The Blazers' Jill Knottek picked up the second goal in the 15th minute as the Bills failed to clear a ball out of their own box. A group of two players from each team went up for the header, but in the resulting collisions, the ball fell free to Knotteck who put it in from four yards out. The final strike of the first half again came on a deadball as Briana McCarty served it in to Tara Kidwell who one-timed it to Burke's right.

Late in the first half, Saint Louis got a feeling it might not be their day. A long throw in by Ellen Gerweck led three Billikens right to the goal line where the ball crept precariously across the face of the goal. No player could corral it, however, and it was cleared to the sideline. The Billiken effort was renewed in the second half, despite the three-goal deficit. Early shots put the Billikens on the offensive, but the conditions thwarted the typically crisp passing team's offense.

The Blazers connected on another deadball from McCarty in the 71st minute to go up 4-0. Burke came out to collect McCarty's serve, but the ball bounced loose, and Jessica Barr headed it in from six yards out.

Saint Louis got on the board in the 81st minute when Anny Lucier served a deadball into the box, where the Blazers took down Kelly Ferguson. Perry took the resulting penalty kick to prevent the shutout. In the 89th minute, Perry tallied her second goal after Jenny Kehl worked the ball through the midfield and hit Perry on the right side of the box. The Billiken forward drove toward the goal and beat UAB keeper Lisa Nowoslaski.

The Billikens return home next weekend to take on Southern Miss Fri., Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.