Kitchens' Goal Not Enough As Bears Fall to UAB

Sunday, February 7

Birmingham, ALA.

4:00 PM (ET) / 3:00 PM (CT)

Mercer University

1-5-1, 0-0-0

UAB

2-2-0, 0-0-0

Mercer

UAB

Photo by: Mitch Robinson

Kitchens' Goal Not Enough As Bears Fall to UAB

2/7/2021 6:49:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

It was her third goal of the 2020-21 season.

By: Kraig Doremus

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Aliah Kitchens converted near the penalty spot via a pass from Nicole Icen, but her second half goal was not enough as Mercer Bears fell to UAB, 2-1, in the spring season opener.

Mercer's Madi Johnson and Brie Pavol challenged the Blazers' Anika Toth with shots in the ninth and 24^th minutes, but it was UAB that struck first.

UAB's third shot on target came from distance with Lexxe Lipsey sending a scorcher past Jordyn Ebert in the 38^th minute from more than 20 yards out. Ebert was unable to deflect the ball, but failed to lose composure, making a stop less than two minutes later.

The Bears struggled to maintain possession with UAB attempting the match's next four shots, but the duo of Kitchens and Icen helped Mercer find its way on the scoreboard in the 72^nd minute. After an errant attempt by the Blazers' Kiss, the Mercer back line sent the ball to its attacking third. Icen gained control on the corner of the 18 and flicked the ball to Kitchens near the penalty spot. Kitchens sent the ball past Toth for her third goal of the season, cutting UAB's lead to 2-1.

Mercer was unable to net the equalizer as UAB controlled the pace for the final 18 minutes. Ebert was strong in goal making three saves in the latter third of the second half. After 90 minutes, Mercer suffered a 2-1 defeat.

Ebert played full time in goal and made seven saves. Toth made a pair of stops for UAB.

COACH TONY ECONOMOPOULOS QUOTABLES

ON THE MATCH
"We had two good chances early, the first ones of the game, and even playing down 2-0 we had good looks. We had a pair of free kicks that were misses, but Aliah [Kitchens] did a nice job converting for us. It's a tough loss, but we'll work hard to come back stronger from this."

ON DEFENDING UAB'S LEXXE LIPSEY
"We identified her as someone to keep an eye on in the week of practice. She's the one who facilitates [UAB's offense], and overall I thought we did a good job on her despite some small mental lapses."

NOTABLES

Kitchens scored her team-leading third goal of the season.
Ebert made seven saves and is four away from 300 stops for her career.
Ebert's seven saves tied her season-high.
For the first time this season, Mercer had less corner kicks than its opponent.
The match was Mercer's lone road contest in February.

UP NEXT
Mercer will open at three-match home stand on February 11 when it hosts the Wesleyan Wolves at 5 p.m. Kennesaw State (Feb. 21) and Troy (Feb. 28) will also visit Betts Stadium during the Orange & Black's home stand.

FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Soccer, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerWSoccer (Twitter), /MercerWSoccer (Facebook) and @MercerWSoccer (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com