The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men's Soccer Competes At Memphis Classic This Weekend
9/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 17, 2009
Memphis Classic Tournament Central
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB men's soccer team returns to action this weekend when it travels to Memphis, Tenn. to participate in the 2009 Memphis Classic. The Blazers open tournament play on Friday when they take on Central Arkansas at 3 p.m., followed by a contest against Vermont on Sunday at 11 a.m.
The Blazers (3-2) are coming off an impressive 2-1 victory over UMKC on Sept. 13, which marked the fourth matchup against a 2008 NCAA Tournament team in their opening five contests this season. Senior Two-Boys Gumede and junior Anthony King each scored en route to the victory over the Kangaroos as the Blazers closed out the UAB "Soccer For A Cure" Classic. Gumede and sophomore goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski were tabbed to the all-tournament team.
Sophomore forward Babayele Sodade continues to lead the offensive attack with seven points on three goals and an assist. He is the only player to have scored more than one goal, as six different Blazers have accounted for UAB's eight goals on the year. Woszczynski has made 20 saves, while allowing five goals on the campaign for a 1.00 GAA.
Central Arkansas comes into its contest against the Blazers sporting a 2-2-1 overall record, but the Bears are 0-2-1 over the last three games. The Bears are led by sophomore forward Joseph Cervantes, who has a team-leading three goals and six points on the season. Goalkeeper Patxi Shortsleeve has started all five games in the net, allowing six goals (1.28 GAA), while making 17 saves on the season.
Vermont enters the weekend with an 0-3-2 record on the season after collecting a pair of 1-1 ties last weekend against Portland and UMass at the Vermont Nike Classic. Freshman forward D.J. Elder was named tourney MVP and enters this weekend on a hot streak, having scored a goal in three straight games. Senior goalkeeper Tom Critz has played every minute in goal this season for the Catamounts, and has a 1.29 GAA while making 24 saves on the campaign.
UAB, which is ranked seventh in the latest NSCAA Midwest Regional Rankings, will make its second consecutive appearance in the Memphis Classic. Last season, the Blazers split a pair of games when they defeated Oral Roberts, 2-1, and dropped a 2-1 decision to Bradley.
Each UAB contest can be followed live on Gametracker by logging on the UABSports.com website.
