The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
College of Charleston
No. 10 UAB Rallies Past C of C, 2-1
10/25/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 25, 2013
Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The No. 10 UAB men’s soccer team (11-2-1, 4-1-1) recorded two goals in the final 11 minutes of regulation to score a 2-1 home victory against the College of Charleston (2-10-1, 0-3-1) on Friday night at West Campus Field. Sophomore forward Freddy Ruiz tallied the game-winning goal in the Blazer’s final non-conference match of the 2013 regular season.
“I thought in the first half the College of Charleston was very good,” head coach Mike Getman said. “They worked really hard and played well. In the second half, our work rate was amazing. Our play was very good. In the end, I think we got what we earned. We tell our team all the time, the game is 90 minutes, not 45, or even 80. I think all year long this team has worked hard all the way through the end of the game. They earned the win by playing a full 90 minutes.”
For the second straight match, UAB found itself in an early hole. The College of Charleston took a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute when junior midfielder Troy Patterson recorded his first goal of 2013.
Neither time could muster any offense in the remainder of the opening half. Both teams recorded a shot on net, but were both turned away by stout defending.
Out of the break, UAB was looking to knot the score. Freshmen Rami Dajani and Lars Willemse each had attempts on net in the second half, but were stymied each time. Senior midfielder Moses Adeniran had a nice opportunity in the second stanza, but hit the post.
The Blazers were finally able to break through in the 79th minute. Redshirt senior midfielder Patrick Huang collected a pass from redshirt junior midfielder Alex Clay and buried the ball into the back of the College of Charleston net, tying the match with only minutes to spare in regulation.
UAB and the College of Charleston would not remain tied for long. Eight minutes later, Ruiz collected a pass from Adenrian and slotted a ball to the left of the Cougars’ keeper, giving the Blazers a 2-1 advantage. Ruiz’s 10th goal of 2013, which leads the squad, secured the victory for the Blazers. In addition, it marked the second straight match Adeniran had a hand in the game-winner.
“Moses had a fantastic game,” said Getman. “He had the game-winner at Tulsa and tonight, he didn’t score, but I thought he was the difference in the match.”
The UAB men’s soccer team is back in action on Wednesday, Oct. 30 when it takes on Conference USA foe New Mexico on the road. The conference tilt is slated to begin at 8 p.m. CT.
Notes: Sophomore forward Freddy Ruiz recorded his 10th goal of 2013, which leads the squad … Redshirt senior midfielder Patrick Huang scored his fourth goal of the year … Redshirt junior midfielder Alex Clay had his fifth assist of 2013, which ranks second on the squad … For the second straight game, UAB surrendered an early goal and was trailing after the first 15 minutes of the match.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account: @UABathletics. For men's soccer news, follow @UAB_MensSoccer.
