The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Men's Soccer Visits Kentucky Sunday
9/28/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 28, 2013
No. 14 UAB (5-1-1) at Kentucky (2-4-0)
Details: Sunday, Sept. 29 • 12:00 p.m. CT • UK Soccer Complex • Lexington, Ky.
Game Coverage: Live Stats • Live Video • Twitter
Match Notes: UAB
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The No. 14 UAB men's soccer team will play its second Conference USA match of the year when it takes on Kentucky on Sunday, Sept. 29. The match is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. CT in Lexington, Ky.
UAB is looking for its first conference victory of the 2013 season. In its first Conference USA match of the year, the Blazers played then-No. 21 Charlotte to a scoreless draw on Friday, Sept. 13.
Blazers Blank Belmont and Mercer
In its last two matches, the UAB men's soccer team shutout its opponents. UAB defeated Mercer, 4-0, on Saturday, Sept. 21, then scored a 2-0 victory against Belmont on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
Against Mercer, junior defender Ian Michalak, sophomore forward Freddy Ruiz, and sophomore defender Ian Svantesson tallied goals. Senior Raphael Ville and redshirt freshman Joe Kuzminksy combined for the clean sheet against the Bears.
On Wednesday night against Belmont, redshirt junior midfielder Alex Clay had a career night, registering a career-best three points on one goal and one assist. Ruiz chipped in a goal, as well. Ville registered his third shutout of 2013 against the Bruins.
UAB has not allowed a goal in over 208 minutes of play. In addition, the squad has not let an opposing team score a goal since the Indiana match on Friday, Sept. 6. The Blazers gave up an own goal against East Tennessee State on Sunday, Sept. 15.
Top 10 In The Nation On Both Sides Of The Pitch
In the most recent NCAA statistical rankings, the UAB men's soccer team is one of the top offensive and defensive teams in the country. The Blazers are scoring at a clip of 2.43 goals per game, which is tied for eighth in Division I men's soccer. On the other end, UAB is allowing 0.41 goals per game, which ranks sixth in the nation.
The squad also ranks ninth in the country in points per game (6.86) and total goals (17). The team's .875 save percentage and 0.57 shutout percentage ranks 10th in the nation, as well.
Individually, senior goalkeeper Raphael Ville is one of the top players in between the posts. Ville boasts a 0.43 goals allowed average, which ranks 10th in the country. Redshirt junior midfielder Alex Clay ranks 10th in the nation in totals assists (4) and 16th in assists per game (0.57). Sophomore forward Freddy Ruiz is 15th in Division I men's soccer in total goals (5) and 18th in goals per game (0.71).
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account: @UABathletics. For men's soccer news, follow @UAB_MensSoccer.
