MIAMI – Darion Copeland put in a header with 20 seconds left to lift the No. 25 UAB men’s soccer team to a 3-2 win over FIU Saturday night to open Conference USA play.

UAB (6-2-1) headed to the halftime break down 1-0, but scored three times in the second half for the second-straight match, to top the Panthers for the first Blazer C-USA opening win since the 2008 season.

“What a match,” head coach Mike Getman said following the win. “We didn’t play great, but we fought hard for the full 90 minutes. This team has continually showed its toughness. Three goals and three points on the road, a great way to start conference play.”

Quentin Albrecht put FIU on the board in the 19th minute to take a 1-0 advantage that would last right at 30 minutes, but Alex Clay tied the match up in the 59th minute for the first score of the second period. After Albrecht connected on a goal again in the 66th minute, Diego Navarrete tied the match back up with six minutes left off a corner kick to setup the thrilling finish.

Stewart Abrahart tallied an assist for the third-straight match when he provided the ball to Copeland for the game-winner at the 89:40 mark. UAB totaled 14 shots in the match led by Abrahart’s three and two each from Navarrete, Clay, Copeland and DeAndre Robinson.

The Blazers return to action next Saturday for a non-conference contest at Akron.

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