RICHMOND, Va. – For the second consecutive match the UAB men’s soccer team (2-0-0) poured it on, recording a 5-1 victory against High Point (0-2-0) in its final match of the VCU Nike Classic at SportsBackers Stadium in Richmond, Va. on Sunday afternoon. The Blazers combined for nine goals in the past two games, the most in a two-game span since 2005.

“We came out, scored early, and really controlled how the game was played in the first half,” head coach Mike Getman stated. “High Point made it a tough game in the second half. Give High Point credit, but at the end of the day we were able to score goals and get the win.”

Like the match against No. 24 VCU, the Green and Gold stormed out to an early lead. Redshirt senior Patrick Huang took a shot from 25 yards out and placed it in the lower left corner to put the squad ahead 1-0 in the eighth minute. It marked Huang’s first goal in a UAB uniform. Sophomore Ian Svantesson was credited with an assist on the play.

Later in the first stanza, sophomore Freddy Ruiz collected his second goal of the VCU Nike Classic, giving the team 2-0 advantage at the 38th minute. Ruiz collected a through ball from freshman Rami Dajani and beat High Point’s Ryan Massey to his right.

High Point made it a game early in the second period. The Panthers’ Mamadee Nyepon scored in the 48th minute to cut the Blazers’ lead to 2-1. It marked the first goal allowed by the Green and Gold in 2013.

UAB would not let High Point back in so easily. Three goals in a six-minute span put the squad ahead 5-1, all but securing the win. Huang and Ruiz each collected their second goals of the match in that stretch and Diego Navarrete contributed a score, as well. Navarrete, Moses Adeniran, and Alex Clay each had an assist during the scoring outburst.

“This team has a lot of weapons,” commented Getman. “Not just one or two guys are scoring. We are doing a great job of creating good opportunities and finishing those opportunities."

Senior goalkeeper Raphael Ville recorded one save and allowed one goal over 76 minutes of play. Redshirt freshman Joe Kuzminksy came in relief for the final 14 minutes of regulation.

In its next match, The Green and Gold will host Indiana, the 2012 national champion, in their home-opener on Friday, Sept. 6. UAB will battle the top-ranked Hoosiers at 7:30 p.m. at West Campus Field.

Notes: UAB scored nine goals in the past two matches, marking the most in a two-game stretch since 2005 … The Blazers scored 10 goals against Georgia State and UNC Greensboro … Sophomore Freddy Ruiz registered three goals in the squad’s two matches in the VCU Nike Classic, matching his output from 2012 … Redshirt senior Patrick Huang tallied his first goal as a member of the UAB men’s soccer team on Sunday afternoon … Senior goalkeeper Raphael Ville did not surrender a goal for the first 137:34 of the year.

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