The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Faces Memphis In Regular Season Home Finale
11/2/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 2, 2007
Birmingham, Ala. ----- The UAB men's soccer team will meet longtime rival Memphis in its regular-season home finale at West Campus Field this Saturday at 2 p.m. The contest also marks senior day for UAB, as the Blazers will honor their lone senior, Joe Klosterman, prior to the start of the game.
The Blazers and Tigers are meeting for the 29th time on the pitch - the most games UAB has played against any single opponent. Memphis currently holds a 16-12 advantage in the series, including winning five of the last six matches between the two schools.
UAB enters Saturday's contest with a 6-9-1 overall record and a 1-5 mark in league play. The Blazers are fighting for their postseason lives, and could clinch a spot on the 2007 Conference USA Championship (hosted by UAB on Nov. 14-18) with a victory over their longtime rival.
Most recently, UAB snapped an eight-game winless skid with a crucial 2-1 victory over UCF on Oct. 27. Prior to the eight game stretch where they went 0-7-1, the Blazers were among one of the best teams in the nation, sporting a 5-2 record, including a 2-1 victory at then-No. 10 Indiana (Sept. 21).
The Blazers are led by junior Dejan Jakovic, a MAC Hermann Trophy candidate. The Etibicoke, Ontario native is living up to his billing as one of the top players in the country, leading his team in goals (6) and points (13) on the season. Meanwhile, junior Frank Brown is also making his presence felt, as the Preston, England native is second on the team with four goals and 10 points. Both players have battled injuries throughout the losing streak, but both made a return to the lineup against UCF. In fact, the game against the Knights marked the first time in over a month the Blazers fielded their regular starters. The Blazers are 4-0 when Jakovic finds the back of the net this season, and 2-0 when the two leading scorers account for a goal in the same game.
Defensively, goalkeeper Wes Johnson, a two-time Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week, leads the Blazers. Johnson has recorded three shutouts and has an impressive 1.02 goals allowed average this season.
The Memphis Tigers enter Saturday night's contest in fifth in the latest Conference USA standings with a 2-1-3 record in league play, and are 9-3-4 overall. The Tigers are on a hot streak as of late, dropping only one game in their last five matches (4-1-1) and losing twice over their last 13 contests (7-2-4).
Memphis boasts a trio of players who have accounted for five goals apiece, led by forward Jared Britcher. Along with Britcher's five goals, the senior also leads the team in assists (five), points (15) and shots (41). Midfielders Kevin Walsh and Ryan Ruble have both contributed five goals and two assists for 12 points on the season. The trio lead a stellar attack which has scored 29 goals on the campaign, averaging 1.72 goals per contest. In fact, 13 different players have scored at least one goal on the 2007 campaign.
Senior goalkeeper Tyler Strom has played 16 games in the net for the Tigers this season, and boasts a 0.91 goals allowed average on the campaign. Strom has recorded 55 saves and three shutouts this season.
All students who bring a valid student ID will receive free food and a free gift at the game. The game can also be followed live on gametracker.
