BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Three first half goals gave Gardner-Webb the lead after 45 minutes, but UAB scored all four of its goals in the second half to earn the 4-3 win over the Runnin' Bulldogs.

"When you get three early goals like we did, you have to be able to sustain that momentum and earn the win, especially in a tough environment on the road," said head coach Tony Setzer. "We weren't able to finish the match the way we needed to. We gave UAB too many chances in the second, and they capitalized."

Gardner-Webb (6-7-1) benefitted from two own goals by the Blazers' defense. In just the fifth minute, a UAB defender knocked the ball into the net, and the Runnin' Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead.

In the 29^th minute, freshman Hendrik Kortgodde gave the 'Dogs a multi-goal when he received a pass from Abel Gebrekiros at midfield and fired the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

With a 2-0 lead, Dylan Dominguez's shot with 8:39 remaining was high, but four minutes later another own goal pushed Gardner-Webb's lead to 3-0. Daniel Husa made four saves in the first 45 minutes to keep the Blazers scoreless in the opening half.

The tide turned in the second half as the Blazers scored four unanswered goals to pick up the 4-3 win.

UAB (3-9-1) got on the board 11 minutes into the half, and added a second goal in the 63^rd minute. The Blazers equalized with 17:17 remaining, and Adohan O'Hara scored his second goal of the night – the game-winner – in the 77^th minute.

Gardner-Webb managed five shots in the second half with two on goal. In the 56^th minute, Petter Johansen fired a shot towards the cage, but UAB's Julian Mehl snatched it up. Gebrekiros, who assisted on Kortgodde's goal in the first half, attempted to lead a late charge and net the equalizer in the 84^th minute, but Mehl made his third and final save of the night.

Gardner-Webb placed six of their 10 shots on target in the match, while UAB were 8-for-13 in shots on target. The major difference came in corner kicks as the Runnin' Bulldogs earned only one, while the Blazers took eight.

The 4-3 loss drops Gardner-Webb to 6-7-1 overall and is their third straight defeat. UAB picks up its third win of the year and improves to 3-9-1.

The 'Dogs will close out the season with three Big South matches, the first of which is next Saturday, October 26, inside Greene-Harbison Stadium. The 'Dogs will welcome UNC Asheville as part of a soccer doubleheader. The GWU women will take on Longwood following the conclusion of the men's match, which is slated for a 4 p.m. start.