The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
New Mexico
Men's Soccer Falls at New Mexico
10/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - UAB's men's soccer team gave up a 2-0 lead and fell to New Mexico, 3-2, Sunday night at the UNM Soccer Complex.
Coming off eight days of rest combined with the long trip West, the Blazers (4-8, 1-3 C-USA) took a 1-0 lead to the half and quickly pushed it to 2-0 in the second period, but surrendered three scores from the Lobos (7-4-2, 1-3 C-USA) to drop the C-USA match.
Senior Ian Svantesson continued to lead the squad after pushing past the New Mexico defense in the eighth minute, putting the Blazers up, 1-0.
That score held up until the halftime break, when senior Freddy Ruiz struck 18 seconds into the second half, punching one in from the left corner to secure a 2-0 Blazer lead.
The Lobos' Francesco Casucci responded for the home team in the 50th minute, before making it an even match nine minutes later off a free kick. The 2-2 score lasted just over 10 minutes before the Lobos secured the game-winner.
Svantesson increased his team-leading goal total to six on the year, and also dished out the assist on Ruiz's score. Svantesson has now scored in two-straight matches and three times in the last four outings.
Ruiz punched in his fifth goal of the year after finding the net in his third-straight match. He also moved up to a tie for fourth in the UAB record book in career goals, now with 29. The Lobos finished with 20 shots with five on target, while UAB put three of its seven attempts on goal.
The Blazers return to action Saturday night at West Campus Field versus Florida Atlantic.
The UAB men's and women's soccer teams will call BBVA Compass Field their new home, beginning with the 2016 season. The soccer-specific facility has been made possible through the generosity of BBVA Compass and other devoted donors. For construction updates and monthly photo galleries please visit UABSports.com and click on the men's or women's soccer home page.
For more information on the UAB men's soccer team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_MensSoccer), on Facebook or on Instagram (@UAB_mens_soccer). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UABAthletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uabathletics) or on Snapchat (@uabathletics).
