The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB "Soccer For A Cure" Classic Begins Friday
9/13/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 13, 2012
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The No. 29 UAB men's soccer team will return to West Campus Field for the first time in nearly a month when it hosts the annual "Soccer For A Cure" Classic this weekend.
This year's event will begin on Friday, Sept. 14, when Memphis (1-2-1) takes on No. 28 Washington (3-1) at 4:30 p.m., followed by UAB (3-2-1) hosting Fairleigh Dickinson (3-1) in the nightcap at 7 p.m. On Sunday, Sept. 16, Memphis will square off against Fairleigh Dickinson at 11:30 a.m. with UAB and Washington concluding tournament play at 2 p.m. in a battle between ranked teams.
The 2012 season marks the 14th year of the UAB "Soccer For A Cure" Classic. This year, UAB plays host to Washington, Memphis and Fairleigh Dickinson. Both the Huskies and the Knights will be making their first appearance in the event, while the Tigers return for the fourth time to the event - the second-most appearances by any team in the tournament's 14-year history (Birmingham-Southern has six).
"The `Soccer For A Cure Classic' is always a great event and it will be no different this season," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "It'll be four good teams and it may be the most competitive tournament we have ever hosted."
The 2012 season marks the fifth straight year that the tournament has been tabbed the "Soccer For A Cure" Classic. When the event first began in 2008, it was the first tournament of its kind in the nation. The event will raise money to help aid cancer victims through the sport of soccer. The money that is raised by the event will remain in Birmingham and be divided among cancer research facilities. Last year, the event raised several thousand dollars for families affected by cancer.
This year's event should be another exciting tournament, featuring three squads who each have a legitimate chance to earn a spot in this year's NCAA Tournament field.
Washington is coming off a 12-4-2 2011 campaign. The Huskies will have 11 newcomers to the 2012 team including transfers and freshmen. A total of 16 players have never worn a Husky uniform, with five having to sit out the 2011 season due to transfer rules or injuries.
Fairleigh Dickinson returns nine starters of last season's 11-5-3 squad. The Knights men's soccer team was picked to finish second in the 2012 NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Knights have a rich soccer tradition, having made the NCAA Tournament 18 times in program history, with he last appearance coming in 2008.
Memphis is another solid team who could be a threat to capture the tournament title. The Tigers, who just missed earning a spot in the 2011 NCAA Tournament, finished with an 11-6-1 record last season. The Tigers return eight letters and 26 letterwinners from a year ago, led by C-USA Preseason Player of the Year in forward Mark Sherrod.
UAB captured the tournament title in 2011, marking the eighth time in the 14 years the Blazers have won the event. UAB has now won Classic titles in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2011.
