LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 14 UAB men’s soccer team (6-1-1, 1-0-1) recorded its first Conference USA win of the season with a 2-1 victory against Kentucky (2-5-0, 0-1-0) on Sunday afternoon. With the win, UAB has won its past three games, matching its longest winning streak of the year.

“We played very well in the first half and deserved our 2-0 lead,” head coach Mike Getman said. “In the second half, they threw everything at us and we hanging on a bit.”

The Blazers got off to a quick start, putting one on the board early. Sophomore forward Freddy Ruiz put a shot on the Kentucky goal in the third minute of the match. Wildcats sophomore goalkeeper Callum Irving saved Ruiz’s attempt, but could not hold onto the ball. Redshirt junior midfielder Alex Clay collected the rebound and scored his second goal in the last two matches.

On its next shot, UAB took a 2-0 lead. Redshirt senior midfielder Patrick Huang sent a corner kick into the opposing box in the 29th minute. Sophomore defender Ian Svantesson was there to head the ball past Irving for his second goal of the 2013.

Senior goalkeeper Raphael Ville kept the host-Wildcats in check in the opening frame. Ville registered two saves in the first 45 minutes of the match.

In the second half, the UAB defense preserved the victory. Kentucky owned a 10-1 shot advantage in the final period. Ville came up with two stops in the final frame to keep the Wildcats at bay.

With seven seconds remaining in regulation, Kentucky redshirt senior forward Brad Doliner converted a penalty kick. The Blazers were able to hold off the host squad for the final seven seconds and score its first Conference USA victory of 2013.

“Raphael was very good, as was our defense,” concluded Getman. “We were a little disappointed to give up a goal with only seven seconds remaining, but very happy with the road win against a very good team.”

The UAB men’s soccer team will be back on the pitch on Wednesday, Oct. 2 when it faces RV/No. 19 Memphis. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m.

Notes: UAB’s goal at the 02:56 mark was the squad’s earliest tally in a game in 2013 … Redshirt junior midfielder Alex Clay registered his second goal of the year, his most in a single season as a Blazer … Sophomore forward Freddy Ruiz notched his first career assist against the Wildcats … Redshirt senior midfielder Patrick Huang now ranks second on the squad in assists with three on the season … UAB allowed its first goal in 298 minutes of play when Kentucky redshirt senior forward Brad Doliner converted a penalty kick.

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