The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men's Soccer Making Final Preparations For 2002 Campaign
8/1/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 1, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The 2002 season should be the most exciting season in Blazer Soccer history. UAB returns eight starters from a 2001 team that made its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, which have included runs to the Elite Eight and Sweet 16. Also back are three starters who were lost to season ending injuries in 2001, including a healthy Flavio Montiero. Montiero, a senior from Houston, Texas, has been plagued by injuries and has only appeared in 29 matches over his first three years. However, during that time he has scored 22 goals and has led the Blazers to the most successful three-year period in UAB history.
Another top returnee for the Blazers includes junior midfielder Marin Pusek. Pusek, a first team All-South selection in 2001 is a Brampton, Ontario native and a former member of Canada's U-17 national team. Behind Pusek is a fellow Canadian national team player Jermie Frankson. Frankson, a senior defender, is considered one of the best man markers in all of college soccer. Anchoring the defense is sophomore goalkeeper Clint Baumstark. Baumstark returns to try and improve on a record setting freshman year that saw UAB finish 15-6. The superb season earned the Thornton, Colo. native a call up to the U.S. U-20 national team training camp.
To compliment the returning players, Getman has added four newcomers for 2002.
Keith Borgner- a 6'4" goalkeeper, is a member of the Georgia state ODP team. An Evans, Ga. native, Borgner played his high school soccer at Greenbriar High School. While in high school, Borgner was a two-time captain and defensive MVP. His size and quickness will help add depth and competition to the UAB goalkeepers.
Sandy Gbandi - a defender from Houston, Texas native who recently scored the game-winning goal in the championship game to lead the Houston Texan soccer club to the 2002 National Championship. He was also a participant in the prestigious adidas ESP camp. His older brother, Chris Gabandi, was a two-time National Player of the Year, led Conecticut to a National Championship and was the No.1 pick for the Dallas Burn of the MLS. Despite being recruited hard by the Huskies, Gbandi chose to come to UAB over soccer powers such as UConn and Furman.
Dennis Umanzor- a marking back from Houston Texas, Umanzor was an All-Star at Adidas ESP in 2000 and was a product of the same Houstonians Soccer Club that produced current Blazers such as Flavio Montiero, Jose Rayo, Oswaldo Gallegos, and Nnamdi and Amechi Ngwe. Dennis is a hard-nosed marking back with strong individual ball skills that could compete for playing time right away.
Robert Sheringham- a wide midfielder from Islip, New York, Sheringham is the younger brother of former UAB standout John Sheringham. Robert was selected to the 2001 Long Island Select Team and was a two-time captain of Islip High School. Also a track athlete in high school, Sheringham should add pace and depth to the Blazer midfield.
With the return of the deepest and most experienced team in head coach Mike Getman's 10 years at the helm, UAB looks to be poised to extend their run even deeper into the NCAA Tournament.
UAB's first home game will be Friday, September 6 when it plays host to crosstown rival Birmingham-Southern at 8 p.m. The Blazers open the regular season Saturday, August 31 in Irvine, Calif. against UC-Irvine.
