BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB men’s soccer team dropped its home opener to Stetson, 3-0, Sunday afternoon at West Campus Field.

“I thought we played pretty well,” head coach Mike Getman said. “There were some things that went against us early. Could’ve been a penalty on one end, instead there’s one at the other end. So instead of being up, you’re down. They were opportunistic on the few chances they had. They worked hard and defended well.”

Stetson senior midfielder Lucas Diniz tallied the hat trick for the Hatters, scoring one goal off a penalty kick and the other two in the second period.

Diniz put Stetson on the board early in the 12th minute off a penalty kick after a handball on the Blazers, before continuing his offensive output in the 36th minute and 82nd minute.As a team the Blazers (1-1-0) doubled up Stetson’s shot total, 16-8. The Green and Gold also got off seven corner kicks, and were led by Freddy Ruiz’s nine shots for three on goal.

“Sounds funny when the score line is 3-0, but our performance wasn’t bad, it was just a couple of key moments,” Getman said. “Obviously we missed a penalty kick and some other good chances. If one of those goes in, odds are things change and the result is a little different.”

The Blazers return to the pitch next weekend at the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament in South Bend, Ind. UAB will take on No. 14 Indiana Friday, before closing play Sunday versus No. 4 Notre Dame. 

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