The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men's Soccer Team Ranked In National Polls
11/1/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 1, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- On the strength of a seven-game unbeaten streak (6-0-1) and an 11-3-3 overall mark, the UAB men's soccer team has burst back into the national rankings this week.
More importantly, the Blazers have moved up to No. 13 in the NCAA RPI rankings, which were released on Tuesday. It is the best RPI in Conference USA and is the second-best ranking in school history, just behind the No. 9 RPI ranking UAB received during its Elite Eight run back in 1999.
The Blazers are ranked unanimously in each of the four major soccer polls, with the highest ranking of No. 17 in the nation in the Soccer Times poll. UAB is also ranked No. 21 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), No. 21 by Soccer America and No. 26 by College Soccer News. Furthermore, the Green and Gold has achieved its highest regional ranking this season, checking in at No. 2 in the NSCAA Midwest Region.
UAB is currently fighting for its first Conference USA regular season championship since 1999, coming into the final regular season contest at 5-1-1 overall. With 16 points, the Blazers are one point ahead of second-place South Carolina (5-1-0/15 points), which has one league match left.
The Blazers will take on Tulsa on Friday night in Tulsa, Okla. at 7 p.m. in their regular-season finale. Should UAB record a win against the Golden Hurricane, coupled with either a tie or loss by South Carolina in its final remaining contest, the Blazers will claim at least a share of the 2011 C-USA regular season title.
