BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - UAB's Chris Williams notched the eventual game-winning goal with just over five minutes left in the first half, as the Blazers coasted to a 3-0 win over visiting UNCW in a men's soccer exhibition match at West Campus Field on Saturday.

In the final test for both sides before opening the season next weekend, UAB improved to 2-0-1 while the Seahawks dropped both exhibition outings.

Williams posted the first goal on the evening with a header off a long serve off the foot of Reed Matte. Adding goals for the Blazers were Babayele Sodade (54:51) and Norris Howze. Howze capped the scoring with a penalty kick in the 89th minute.

"Obviously you want to win every time you take the field," said UNCW Head Coach Aidan Heaney. "But we did some really nice things out there tonight. We needed to be more creative overall and were able to. We created more chances for ourselves and were just a bit unlucky tonight. Their keeper really played well and was up to the task. We tried some new things and I'm happy with how the players responded."

The Seahawks built an 11-7 advantage in shots, but Carl Woszczynski made six saves for UAB in recording the shutout.

Trailing 1-0 early in the second half, sophomore Thomas Driver just missed drawing the Seahawks even when his shot in the 48th minute rang the post.

Junior Brandon Miller and senior Brock Duckworth shared goal tending duties, each playing a half. Miller allowed the first half goal while making a pair of saves.

The Seahawks open the regular season on the road next Friday when they take on Binghamton at the Save Face WVU Classic presented by Subway. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. in Morgantown, W.V. Live stats for the match will be available on UNCWsports.com.

Notes: The Seahawks failed to score in either of their two exhibitions matches ... Senior Devan Carroll returned to action when he subbed into the game in the second half ... Freshman Andy McDaniel made the first start by a UNCW freshman in the preseason and led the club with two shots, both on goal.