BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The No. 15 UAB men’s soccer team (8-1-1, 2-0-1) erupted for six goals in a 6-2 victory against Conference USA foe Florida Atlantic (5-1-1, 1-1-0) on Sunday at West Campus Field. It marked the most goals scored in a single game by the Blazers since Sept. 9, 2011 when they defeated Oral Roberts 6-1.

“A lot of goals,” head coach Mike Getman stated. “I thought we played really well for most of the game. Overall, I thought we defended really well for 80, or 85 minutes. We certainly attacked well for the whole game. I was pleased with the final result."

Junior forward Diego Navarrete had his best match of his UAB career, to date. Navarrete scored two goals, one of those being the game-winner, and tallied four assists. His four assists matched a UAB single game record.

“Diego has played well every single game,” commented Getman. “I thought today the ball started going in the goal for him finally, but he has had a good performance all season. Today, he got the goals, got a lot of points, but that is what we expect from him.”

Junior midfielder Pacchino Roberts opened the scoring for the Blazers, tallying an 18th minute goal. It marked Roberts’ first goal of his UAB career. In addition, with Roberts’ early tally, UAB has scored in the first 20 minutes of each of its last four matches.

Redshirt junior midfielder Alex Clay scored six minutes later, his third goal of the year. Navarrete then tallied the eventual game-winner in 29th minute.

Out of the halftime break, Florida Atlantic was able to make it a match with two goals in 11 minutes. UAB would not let the visiting Owls get any closer though.

Navarrete would go on to score his second goal of the match in the 73rd minute, matching his career-best. Sophomore forward Freddy Ruiz added two goals in a four-minute stretch, sealing the 6-2 victory for the Green and Gold.

“We have played well almost every game,” concluded Getman. “I think we are getting better and better every game. That’s what is really important to me. If we can keep that up, I think it is going to be a pretty good year for us.”

The UAB men’s soccer team is back in action on Saturday, October 12 at Old Dominion. The match is slated to begin at 6 p.m. CT.

Notes: With today’s victory, UAB has eight wins on the year. Eight victories in its first 10 matches marks the squad’s best start to a season since 2001 … Junior forward Diego Navarrete matched the UAB single game record with four assists against Florida Atlantic … Navarrete and sophomore forward Freddy Ruiz each had two goals on the day. Both players matched their career-bests … Senior defender Moses Adeniran, senior midfielder Norris Hozwe, and junior midfielder Pachinno Roberts all had their first points of 2013 against the Owls.

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