Aug. 26, 2001

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The No. 23 University of Kentucky men’s soccer team upped its exhibition record to 1-1-0 with a 2-1 triumph over 19th-ranked Alabama-Birmingham on Sunday, Aug. 26, in its final game of the IPFW Soccer Showcase.

Jamal Shteiwi tallied the game winner at the 61:26 mark, less than four minutes after UAB tied the game at one. Blazer goalkeeper Scott Stachelski dove to deflect a UK cross, and Shteiwi was in perfect position to knock the ball into the open net for the victory.

“We showed some improvement today and beat a very good team,” Coach Ian Collins said. “Although we still have some things to work on, we came away with a number of positives as well.”

After a scoreless first half that saw a combined total of only six shots by both teams, Antti Peltonen got the ball and went one-on-one with the UAB goalie. Moving left, Peltonen kicked the ball to the lower right corner of the goal outside the keeper’s reach for the 1-0 lead in the 52nd minute.

The Blazers scored the equalizer seven minutes later when Nelson Mata sent a direct kick into the net.

The Cats start the season in earnest when they travel to Bloomington, Ind., for the Indiana University Classic on Aug. 31-Sept. 1. UK will face Butler on Friday and No. 4 IU on Saturday.

12FKentucky         02        2UAB011

Scoring: Kentucky – Antti Peltonen 51:03 (unassisted), Jamal Shteiwi 61:26 (unassisted), UAB – Nelson Mata (unassisted).
Shots: Kentucky – 7, UAB – 11
Goalkeeper Saves: Kentucky – Brad Samelko 3, Greg Raber 2, UAB – Clint Baumstark 0, Scott Stachelski 1
Corner Kick: Kentucky – 6, UAB – 7