The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men's Soccer Announces Four Signees
4/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
April 12, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- UAB men's soccer head coach Mike Getman announced the signing of four future Blazers who will join the program for the 2010 season. Forward Gentry Smith (Jackson, Miss./Jackson Academy), goalkeeper Chase Bullman (Jackson, Miss./Jackson Prep), forward/midfielder Atak Yai (Jackson, Miss./Murrah HS) and Qidian Liu (Vancouver, Canada/Santa Barbara CC) each signed during the recent recruiting period to continue their playing career with the Blazers.
"I am very pleased to have each of these players join our program," Getman said. "All four have had outstanding high school careers and will be welcome additions to our team. I think they each have a bright future at UAB."
Smith was tabbed "Mr. Soccer" in the state of Mississippi following his senior season at Jackson Academy. He finished his outstanding high school career with 105 goals and 72 assists and was tabbed a four-time all-conference player and a two-time all-state honoree.
"Gentry is a proven goal scorer but has the athleticism and versatility to play in a number of positions," Getman said. "We feel Gentry will help us immediately."
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Meanwhile, Bullman attended Jackson Preparatory School where he helped his team to four state championship games. He recorded 11 shutouts during his senior season on his way to earning all-state accolades for a second-straight season.
"Chase is an extremely athletic goalkeeper with a great work rate," Getman said. "We feel Chase will make our goalkeeping situation even more competitive."
Yai earned all-state honors while playing under head coach Abraham Rubert-Schewel at Murrah HS. He also earned the team's most valuable player award following his senior season.
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"Atak is a very gifted attacking player," Getman said. "We think Atak will be a very important player for us right away. We are very excited to have him join our team."
Smith, Bullman and Yai each played club soccer with the Chicago Fire Juniors of Mississippi under head coach Kenny White. The trio heped lead the team to the Premier League Championship and state championship. Additionally, both Smith and Yai earned a spot on the Region III first team.
Liu, who goes by the nickname "Flo," hails from Vancouver, B.C., Canada where he played club ball under Bart Choufour with the Vancouver Whitecaps F.C. He led his high school team to its first-ever Mainland Title and first appearance in the Provincial Cup. He was the team's leader in goals and assists for three-straight seasons.
 Qidian "Flo" Liu. |
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Last season, Liu played at Santa Barbara Community College where he helped lead the Vaqueros to the Western State Conference regular season title.
"We saw Flo play at one of our Camps and were very impressed," Getman said. "Flo will come in and fill one of our biggest needs at left back. We expect him to help us right away."
