MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Ian Svantesson connected on two early second half goals and DeAndre Robinson added another to lead the UAB men’s soccer team to a 3-1 season-opening victory Friday night versus Memphis at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex.

“It was a very good game against a very good team,” head coach Mike Getman said following the match. “The first 15 minutes or so I thought we were pretty dominant, but then they kind of settled down and played very well and controlled a little bit towards the end of the first half.”

The Blazers (1-0-0) took control of the match early off the foot of Robinson. The sophomore found the net from the edge of the box, giving the Green and Gold a 1-0 advantage after 15 minutes.

Memphis evened it up 15 minutes later when Jacob Krupp dished an assist to Mason Morise, sending the match to the locker room locked at 1-1.

That’s when Svantesson, a senior defender, took control early in the second period. The 6-foot-6 Orlando, Fla. native scored in the 55th minute off a Berry Sonnenschein assist, before finding the net again three minutes later off a free kick via a Karl Chester assist.

“Hopefully they’re not the last two goals of the season for him (Svantesson), but Ian is someone who played most of his life as an attacking player,” Getman said. “When he came to UAB we converted him as a defender. I’m never surprised when he scores and they were two pretty good goals today.”

As a squad the Blazers finished with just eight shots for six on goal. Memphis attempted 21 shots for only seven on target.

UAB returns to action Sunday for the home opener at 5 p.m. versus Stetson at West Campus Field. The match will be part of a soccer doubleheader on the UAB campus, and more information on Sunday’s promotions can be found below.

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