The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Four Men's Soccer Players Tabbed All-Region
12/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Dec. 12, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Four UAB men's soccer players earned a nod to the 2011 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Midwest Region team, the organization announced.
Three Blazers, senior goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski, senior forward Babayele Sodade and junior defender Mladen Lemez, were named second-team all-region performers, while freshman defender Darion Copeland earned third-team recognition.
Copeland becomes the first true freshman in school history to be selected by the NSCAA as an All-Region honoree. Sodade was tabbed a second-team all-region performer for a third time, while Woszczynski earned the accolade for the second time in his career.
Moreover, it is the second time in school history four UAB men's soccer players earned all-region honors in the same season. The only other time it occurred came during the 2009 season when Two-Boys Gumede was tabbed a first-team honoree, while Curtis Ushedo, Sodade and Woszczynski were selected to the second team.
Sodade, who was selected as a first-team All-Conference USA performer, had a tremendous final season for the Green and Gold. The Windsor, Ontario native finished the campaign leading the team in goals (13), assists (5), shots (53) and points (31). He also had a league-leading eight game-winning goals on the campaign.
Meanwhile, Woszczynski also had a stellar season on his way to second-team all-conference accolades. The three-time all-conference and two-time all-region honoree finished his career with arguably one of the best individual seasons in school history. The Columbus, Ind. native led all C-USA keepers with a school-record four Defensive Player of the Week honors, seven shutouts and 91 saves on the season. He also ranked second in the league in goals against average (0.86), save percentage (.812) and saves per game (4.33).
Sodade and Woszczynski closed their respective careers among the school's record holders. Sodade's 29 goals are tied for fourth-most in program history, while his 69 career points (29g, 11a) are tied for fifth. Woszczynski ranks second in UAB lore in goals against average (1.00) and shutouts (18), third in wins (35) and fourth in total saves (244).
Lemez made his first-ever all-region team after a strong season in which he earned third-team all-league recognition. The Sarajevo, Bosnia native started at center back for the league's top defensive unit. In addition to winning a majority of contested headers, he used his 6-foot-5 frame to tally four goals, which ranked second on the team.
Copeland also played a key role for a UAB defensive unit that allowed a league-leading 1.01 goals per game this season. Copeland started all 20 contests for the Blazers on his way to earning C-USA All-Freshman Team honors. His lone goal was the game-winner in UAB's 1-0 victory over then-No. 12 SMU.
