The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Clemson (Exh.)
Blazers Fall 2-1 at No. 3 Clemson
8/13/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
CLEMSON, S.C. - The UAB men's soccer team opened its exhibition slate with a 2-1 loss against No. 3 Clemson on Saturday at Riggs Field. The Blazers received a goal from freshman Massimo Ferrin in the 95th minute to level the score against the Tigers, but Clemson scored late into the second overtime period to win the contest.
"I thought overall we played pretty well for having only three days of practice," said UAB head coach Mike Getman. "It was a good competitive match. Clemson had a little bit more of the possession but I thought we had a few more dangerous chances during the first 90 minutes."
The Blazers held last year's national runner-up scoreless for the first 77 minutes until junior Michael Melvin found the corner of the net from roughly 20 yards out in the 78th minute.
The two teams played two additional overtime periods in the exhibition which gave the Blazers a chance to knot the score up. Ferrin made the most of his opportunity halfway through the first overtime period to give the Blazers their lone goal of the game.
Clemson scored the game-winning goal late into the second overtime period. Sophomore Johnny Heckman buried a free kick to tilt the score back in the Tigers favor at 2-1.
"In overtime, we played 11 freshmen," said Getman. "(Clemson) had better possession but we had good chances. For three days of practice and the first game, I thought it was a really good showing against a great team. I thought it was a good day for us overall. We learned the things we need to learn. There is the chance now with two weeks left to go to work on the things that we didn't do so well and get ready for the regular season."
UAB returns home for its next four contests. The first match is an exhibition against Auburn Montgomery on Tuesday, August 16. That game is slated to start at 7 p.m.
