UAB drops 3-2 home finale to Old Dominon

November 1, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB men’s soccer team fell to the Old Dominion Monarchs, 3-2, Saturday night in the home finale at West Campus Field.

“This is the first game this season that I am just disappointed,” head coach Mike Getman said. “The guys worked hard and battled, but didn't play the way we have played all season. I don't know if it was the emotion of Senior Night or fatigue from Wednesday. We sure gave a lot and it is hard to turn around three days later and try and do it again.”

Junior forward Freddy Ruiz and senior Alex Clay both scored for the second-straight match as UAB (9-6-1, 4-3 C-USA) honored its five seniors – Clay, Darion Copeland, Diego Navarrete, Pachinno Roberts and Ian Michalak – playing in their final regular season home game.

“These guys have worked so hard for four years and have been great,” Getman said of the senior class. “Our team has been so successful the years they have been here, so it is disappointing for them not to win here tonight. I truly believe we will play here again on this field so it won't be their last.”

Old Dominion struck first in the 31st minute when Sidney Rivera found the back of the net. Clay responded just four minutes later on a DeAndre Robinson assist to knot the match at 1-1.

After two-straight Old Dominion goals in the second half to go ahead 3-1, Ruiz added to his league-leading goal total with his 10th of the season to cut the score to what would be a final of 3-2.

The Monarchs posted 14 shots to the Blazers’ 11. UAB finished with six on target, while the two teams took a combined nine corner kicks.

UAB returns to the field to close the regular season next Saturday at Florida Atlantic.