Comeback Attempt Fall Short as Men's Soccer Loses 4-3 to UAB

Saturday, September 5

Birmingham, Ala.

8:00 PM

University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics

2-3-0, 0-0-0

UAB

2-1-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
USC Upstate	1	2	3
UAB	2	2	4

9/5/2026 11:13:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – USC Upstate men's soccer erased much of a three-goal second-half deficit Friday night, scoring twice over the final 33 minutes, but the Spartans' comeback ultimately fell just short in a 4-3 setback against UAB at PNC Field.

The seven-goal affair saw the teams combine for 22 shots, with Upstate matching UAB with 11 attempts. Three different Spartans found the back of the net as Christian Cook, Tolu Fabamifobee and Josh Zawlocki supplied the scoring.

UAB opened the scoring in the 20th minute as Sam Roberson gave the Blazers a 1-0 advantage. Upstate needed just 65 seconds to provide an answer. Noah Daniels set up Cook in the 22nd minute, with Cook finding the back of the net for his third goal of the season to level the match at one.

The tie lasted only 17 seconds, however, as UAB's Ole Jessen scored at the 21:22 mark to send the Blazers back in front, 2-1. The score remained there through halftime.

UAB created separation early in the second half. Tony Kim converted a penalty kick in the 53rd minute before adding his second goal just over three minutes later, pushing the Blazer advantage to 4-1.

Despite facing a three-goal deficit, the Spartans refused to go away. Upstate began its comeback in the 58th minute when Luke Marin found Fabamifobee, who buried his first goal of the season to cut the deficit to two.

The Spartans continued applying pressure, generating eight of their 11 shots in the second half. Their persistence paid off again in the 79th minute when Jalen Moore assisted Zawlocki for his third goal of the season, pulling Upstate within one at 4-3 with just under 12 minutes remaining.

Upstate earned a corner kick in the 86th minute as it searched for the equalizer, but UAB held off the late push to secure the one-goal victory.

Cook and Zawlocki each scored their third goals of the campaign, while Fabamifobee recorded his first. Daniels, Marin and Moore each picked up assists. Jarrett Wuerslin played all 90 minutes in goal for the Spartans, recording three saves.

The two sides finished even with 11 shots apiece, while UAB held a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal. Upstate earned four corner kicks compared to three for the Blazers. The Spartans also generated eight shots and scored twice after halftime.

With the result, USC Upstate moves to 2-3-0 on the season, while UAB improves to 2-1-1.

Notable

Christian Cook scored his third goal of the season.
Josh Zawlocki also netted his third goal of 2026.
Tolu Fabamifobee recorded his first goal of the season.
Noah Daniels, Luke Marin and Jalen Moore each recorded an assist.
Upstate scored three goals against UAB, its second three-goal performance of the season.
The Spartans outshot UAB 8-6 in the second half.
Upstate and UAB finished even with 11 total shots apiece.
The Spartans held a 4-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Jarrett Wuerslin finished with three saves in 90 minutes.

Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
X (Twitter) | @UpstateMSoccer
Instagram | @Upstatemenssoccer
Youtube.com/UpstateSpartans

INVEST IN CHAMPIONS - Join the Upstate Athletic Fund (UAF) and enjoy enhanced benefits for your support of all USC Upstate programs! Make your gift today, click here!