CLEMSON, S.C. – In its first exhibition match heading into the 2014 regular season, the UAB men’s soccer team suffered a 2-0 setback at Clemson on Saturday night. In a matchup of two of the top teams in the nation, UAB lost a tight battle, despite an 18-5 lead in shots.

“We were on the road to one of the top teams in the nation, we outshot them 18-5, we had the majority of the possessions, and I thought for the majority of the game we played quite well,” stated head coach Mike Getman. “There are a lot of positives. There has only been three days of preseason, so no reason to panic just yet. It was a great night because we were challenged by a good team. I was pleased with our overall play."

The host Tigers jumped out to an early lead in the first period of the exhibition match. Clemson was able to score two goals on two shots in the first 30 minutes of play, to take a 2-0 lead. UAB had their chances in the first of three 30-minute frames, but was turned away three times in the first period.

UAB was able to keep the host team off the board for the final 60 minutes. In the final 60 minutes, Clemson only recorded three shots in that time with two going on goal. Junior goalkeeper Miguel Hof and redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Joe Kuzminksy each came up with a save during that time.

“After that point, I thought we really settled down and took control of the match,” Getman commented. “We played really well. We created six or seven great chances to score. Today, they didn’t go in, but again once we settled in we played quite well.”

Junior forward Freddy Ruiz, the 2014 Preseason Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year, led the team with five shots on the match. Redshirt junior forward Karl Chester had a team-best two shots on goal.

The UAB men’s soccer team is back in action in its first home exhibition match of the year on Tuesday, Aug. 19 against AUM. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at West Campus Field.

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