The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Babayele Sodade Tabbed C-USA Offensive Player Of The Week
9/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 8, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- UAB men's soccer player Babayele Sodade (Windsor, Ontario) has been tabbed the Conference USA men's soccer offensive player of the week, the league announced on Tuesday. The recognition marks his first career weekly award.
The sophomore forward had a big week in leading the Blazers to a pair of victories. In the three contests played last week, Sodade accounted for three goals, 12 shots and six shots on goal.
"This is a terrific and very deserved honor for Babayele," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "Babayele is definitely getting more comfortable each game and continues to score goals for us. Right now he seems to be on a good streak and we hope that continues."
Sodade led UAB to a 3-1 victory with a pair of goals Friday against the Flames, which was a unanimous top-12 team (No. 10 in NSCAA/Adidas, No. 11 in SoccerTimes.com and No. 12 in Soccer America) entering the game against the Blazers. The tallys were not only the first goals of his UAB career, but he also recorded his first career game-winning goal.
Sodade's game-winner came in the 20th minute of action when he received a long pass, beat a couple of UIC defenders and deposited a shot into the top right corner of the net. Sodade then sealed the victory by forcing a turnover deep in the Flames' defensive third of the field and beating UIC All-American goalkeeper Jovan Bobonja.
Sodade also scored a goal against Centenary on Monday in a 2-0 shutout victory when he deposited a shot into the net in the 82nd minute of action to secure the win. He led all players in that contest with six shots, four of which came on goal.
Earlier in the week, Sodade led the offensive attack against 2008 Summit Conference champion and NCAA Tournament participant Oakland, collecting a team-best four shots in a 1-0 loss.
Sodade will lead the Blazers into this weekend's UAB "Soccer For A Cure" Classic on Friday, Sept. 11 and Sunday, Sept. 13. The action begins on Friday night at West Campus Field as UMKC and Memphis get the tournament underway at 5 p.m., followed by UAB against Drake in the nightcap beginning at 7:30 p.m. Sunday's action begins at noon with Drake and Memphis, followed by the tournament finale between UMKC and UAB at 2:30 p.m.
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 UAB matches.
