The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Hit The Road To Take On Rice Friday
10/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 8, 2009
Gametracker | Watch Live
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB women's soccer team will travel to Houston, Texas for a Conference USA match versus the Rice Owls on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT at the Rice Track/Soccer Stadium.
Friday will mark the sixth meeting on the pitch between the Blazers and the Owls. Rice holds a 3-2 advantage in the all-time series, however, UAB won the last meeting, 5-2, a season ago in Birmingham.
The Blazers head to Rice with an 8-4 overall record and a 2-2 mark in league play. UAB is ranked as the No. 6 team in the Central Region in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll, while also being listed No. 25 in the nation in the season's first NCAA RPI index, released this past Monday.
Sophomore forward Tiffini Turpin continues to lead the way for UAB on the offensive side with a team-best four goals this season, including three game-winners.
Also contributing to the Blazers' attack is senior forward/midfielder Danya Barsalona and sophomore forward/midfielder Laura McCalla, who have scored two goals each on the year.
Junior Kate Blankenship is UAB's starting goalkeeper, recording five shutouts this season and tallying 52 saves through 12 games.
Rice has an overall record of 2-8-2 and has yet to win a league game with a 0-4 mark in C-USA.
The Owls have three players that have scored a team-high two goals apiece, including Alexa Coralli, Erin Scott and Korey Taylor.
Meghan Erkel has started every game in goal for Rice and has nabbed 72 saves and allowed 13 goals this year.
The UAB/Rice match can be followed live on Gametracker.
