The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
No. 20 UAB Hosts South Carolina On Senior Night
10/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 27, 2009
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The 20th-ranked UAB men's soccer team will play its final regular-season home match when it takes on South Carolina on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at West Campus Field. The contest will mark the final home match for the Blazers' eight seniors: Alandus Brooks, Two-Boys Gumede, Wes Johnson, Sibusiso Macwele, Bart Markel, John Markey, Dean Sorrell and Jonah Stewart.
The Blazers enter the contest with a 10-3-1 overall mark and a 4-1-1 record in league play, which places them in a tie for first overall with Tulsa in the latest C-USA standings. UAB, who can clinch a spot in the four-team C-USA tournament with a victory, continues to ride a hot streak, having accrued just one loss over its last 10 contests (8-1-1) coming into Saturday's match.
On the season, 11 different UAB players have found the back of the net. Sophomore Babayele Sodade and freshman Kofi Gyawu lead the way with six goals each. Sodade also leads the team or is tied for the team lead in assists (3), shots (44), shots on goal (23) and game-winning goals (2). Gumede, a C-USA Player of the Year and All-America candidate, is the team co-leader in assists (3) and third on the team in goals (3) and points (9).
The Blazers boast one of the stingiest defenses in the league, led by three-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Week honoree Carl Woszczynski. The Columbus, Ind. native ranks among the league leaders in goals allowed average (0.86), saves (51), shutouts (6) and save percentage (.810).
The Gamecocks are 7-5-3 overall and 2-1-2 in conference action and currently clinging to fourth in the C-USA standings. With eight points in league play, South Carolina leads SMU (7 points), Kentucky (6 points), UCF (6 points) and Memphis (6 points) for the fourth and final spot in this year's league tournament.
The Gamecocks are led on the season by junior Sam Arthur, who has accounted for team-bests of eight goals and 15 points. Arthur, a first-team all-conference performer a year ago, is tied for the league lead in goals scored, points and game-winning goals (3). Junior Blake Brettschneider and senior Bryan Lowder each have accounted for two goals.
Defensively, South Carolina is allowing just over a goal per game entering the contest. Senior goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer has played every minute in the goal for the Gamecocks this season. He has a GAA of 1.08, making 54 saves while allowing just 17 goals this year.
Admission is free to all UAB students with a valid ID, while students and season ticket holders are encouraged to attend a pregame tailgate with free food and drinks beginning approximately 60 minutes prior to the start of the match.
Additionally, the first 100 students inside the gate will receive a free UAB t-shirt.
