On a crisp evening in Macon, Georgia, the UAB men's soccer squad stepped onto the Betts Stadium turf for its inaugural match of the campaign, facing off against a disciplined Mercer side. The atmosphere was charged, with both teams eager to establish early momentum before the Blazers' upcoming home showdown with USC Upstate.
First Half Dominance
From the opening whistle, UAB asserted control, outshot Mercer 6-3 and maintained a 56 percent possession edge. The Blazers carved out six corner kicks while limiting the Bears to five, and they entered the break with a slender 1-0 lead after Tony Kim's 15th‑minute strike.
The Winning Goal
Kim's decisive effort arrived in the 15th minute when a swift counter‑attack saw him receive a pass at the edge of the box, sidestep a defender, and curl a precise shot into the bottom corner. The goal not only opened the scoring but also settled the team's nerves, allowing them to play with confidence for the remainder of the half.
Goalkeeper Excellence
Between the posts, Ethan Schulz proved indispensable, making five saves to preserve the clean sheet. His most critical interventions came early, as he denied Alan Melendez and Rylie Siddall with sharp reflexes, keeping Mercer at bay and reinforcing UAB's defensive resolve.
Second Half Surge
The Blazers continued to press after the interval, generating another six shots and six corner kicks while maintaining a 12-7 overall shot advantage. Despite a flurry of attacks, Mercer's goalkeeper Henry Hampshaw delivered key saves on Melendez and Siddall, ensuring the lead remained intact.
Looking Forward
With the victory secured, UAB turns its attention to a home match against USC Upstate scheduled for Saturday at 7:00 p.m. The win not only marks the team's first win of the season but also signals a promising start under the guidance of UAB Athletics, setting a positive tone for the games to come.