CONWAY, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina women's soccer team picked up its first win of the season versus the UAB Blazers on Sunday afternoon. Redshirt sophomore and birthday girl Tamlyn Parkes scored a penalty kick in the 86th minute to give CCU the 1-0 win.
The Chants improve to 1-2-2 on the season after recording the first ever win at the new CCU Soccer Complex.
UAB were the aggressors in the opening 10 minutes of play, taking shots in the first and ninth minute but neither could find its way onto the target.
Freshman Olivia Goretski had Coastal's lone chance of the half in the 42nd minute when she broke away from a Blazers defender at the halfway line. Goretski then drove down the pitch and fired a shot on goal but it was met by the hands of the UAB keeper to keep the score at 0-0.
At the end of the opening frame, the Chants trailed UAB 2-1 in shots and were tied with one corner apiece.
In the 63rd minute, the Blazers threatened the CCU defense when Avery Berryman fed the ball to Georgia White, who smashed the ball on goal, but Coastal keeper Vivienne Carr made an excellent save with her outstretched leg to hold the score at 0-0.
Parkes had a promising chance to give Coastal the lead in the 80th minute when she wrongfooted the UAB defense and laced the ball on frame, but the Blazers keeper used a strong right hand to palm away the danger.
The Chants got on the scoreboard in the 86th minute when Jessica Wheeler drew a foul in the box to award Coastal a penalty kick. Parkes then stepped up to the spot and drilled the ball into the bottom right corner to put the Chants up 1-0.
The match almost ended in heartbreak when UAB found the back off the net in final moments of the match, but the Blazers shot was taken one second after the final whistle and was disallowed to give CCU the 1-0 win.
"We're off the mark! I'm so happy for the group today, they've dug in deep for weeks now and haven't always got what they deserved. Today wasn't our most polished performance, but they never quit and kept pushing for the goal and it finally came," stated head coach Jo Chubb. "Fair play to UAB, they changed some things from their previous performances and tested us all game long. It's encouraging that teams are changing things for us, and it's even more encouraging that we're able to adapt to these changes whilst maintaining our identity."
"Once again, we must be able to be more clinical and finish off games when given the chance, but with this young group, the foundation is growing by the day and we're so confident that the goals will come. Proud of the girls, proud of my staff and everyone involved in this victory today. Onwards from here! Chants up!"
The Chanticleers will head back on the road to take on Belmont on Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m. ET
For complete coverage of CCU women's soccer, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalWSoccer (X), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram), or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com
