A Late Surge
The University of Alabama at Birmingham women's soccer squad traveled to Oxford on Saturday, where they faced the Ole Miss Rebels in a tightly contested match that ended in a 2-0 defeat. The game, played at PNC Field in Birmingham, Alabama, drew a modest crowd eager to see the Blazers compete against a strong SEC opponent.
Ole Miss broke the deadlock in the 57th minute when Sarah Granno received a pass from Teaghan Irvin and slipped the ball past UAB goalkeeper Leah Parsons. The goal came after a period of sustained pressure from the Rebels, who had already begun to dominate possession and create chances.
Just six minutes later, Becca Skinner converted a penalty kick to extend the lead to 2-0, catching Parsons off guard despite her three first‑half saves that had kept UAB within striking distance. Parsons' efforts were complemented by a solid defensive display that forced Ole Miss goalkeeper Taylor Prigge into several key stops.
UAB's attack showed flashes of promise, with Lola Sommer forcing a save from Prigge in the 37th minute and Lailah Stewart firing a shot high in the second half. However, the Blazers finished the match with only five attempts, including two on target, while Vita Naihin led the team with two shots and Avery Berryman and Lailah Stewart each added one.
The Rebels outshot UAB 13‑5 and held an 8‑1 edge in corner kicks, underscoring their overall superiority. Despite the loss, UAB's goalkeeper Leah Parsons remained a bright spot, making several crucial saves that kept the score respectable.
UAB's next test will be a home clash against UCF on Thursday, August 27 at 6 p.m. CT, as the Blazers look to rebound from the defeat and fine‑tune their strategy before the remainder of the season.