The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Earns No. 11 Overall Seed To 2011 NCAA Tourney
11/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 14, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- For the fifth time in the last 13 years, and sixth time overall, the UAB men's soccer team has received a bid to the 2011 NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament, as announced by NCAA officials on Monday, Nov. 14.
The Blazers earned the No. 11 overall seed in the event, which guarantees a bye into the second round of the 48-team field. UAB will host the winner of the Furman-Charlotte First Round game on Sunday at West Campus Field. A time for the contest is yet to be determined.
It marks just the third time in program history UAB will host a men's soccer NCAA Tournament game.
UAB enters the NCAA Tournament as one of the hotter teams in college soccer. The Blazers have just one loss over their last 10 games (8-1-1), which came against SMU in the 2011 C-USA Tournament championship game on Sunday.
Leading the way for the Blazers is first team all-conference performer in Babayele Sodade, who enters the contest with team highs in goals (13), assists (5), points (31) and shots (50). Sodade, who was the lone Blazer to earn first-team all-conference accolades. Sodade also leads the team and Conference USA with eight game-winning goals on the season.
Defensively, senior goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski, who garnered second-team all-conference recognition and had a strong case to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors, leads the top defense in the league during the regular season. The Columbus, Ind. native was a four-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Week honoree during the season and leads the league in shutouts (7), saves (90) and save percentage (.833). He also ranks second in goals against average (0.88).
As a team, UAB leads the league in every statistical defensive category, which includes the fewest goals allowed (19), lowest goals against average (0.91), saves (98) and shutouts (7).
In all, four Conference USA teams received bids to this year's tournament. SMU, who defeated UAB in the C-USA Championship game, received the No. 6 overall seed. UCF and South Carolina also earned at-large bids.
UAB Head Coach Mike Getman
On reaction to UAB's seeding ...
"We are excited to be in the NCAA tournament and then finding out that you are one of the top seeds is pretty special for our soccer program. Our guys have worked hard all year long and I know they are proud to get this kind of achievement."
On playing at home on Sunday ...
"It's huge. In any match playing at home makes a big difference. Playing in the NCAA tournament I don't think you can describe what an advantage it is to have your home crowd, home field and getting to sleep in your own bed the night before. I think it's a great advantage and something these guys have earned."
Senior Forward Babayele Sodade
On his reaction to the seeding ...
"It's exciting because we have been working for four years to get into the NCAA tournament. Two years ago we almost got in and last year we almost got in. This year we it feels great to finally be in, to be seeded and to host a NCAA tournament game. It's amazing because not only are we in, but we are hosting it."
On the advantage of playing at home...
"If you look at our schedule this year we are 7-1-3 at home. It's a big deal for us because of our atmosphere and the people that come out. We play harder, better and we find ways to win. That's what we want to do. The NCAA tournament is win or go home and if you are winning that's fine. Home field advantage helps us."
On Sunday approaching...
"It's going to come real quick. We just have to be ready to play whoever we play. You have to look at it one game at a time. If you don't then you are going to underestimate the team that you're playing and they're going to beat you. Every team in the tournament they can beat anyone. This year's tournament field is strong. A non-ranked team can win. Look at Akron-they're not ranked but they went to the championship two games in a row. Anything can happen."
