The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Set To Host "Soccer For A Cure" Classic
9/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
UAB (2-2) vs. Vermont (4-0)
Friday, Sept. 12 | 7 p.m. CT | Birmingham, Ala. - West Campus Field
Live Coverage: Live Video | Live Stats | Twitter
Match Notes: UAB
UAB (2-2) vs. Dayton (1-2)
Sunday, Sept. 14 | 2:30 p.m. CT | Birmingham, Ala. - West Campus Field
Live Coverage: Live Video | Live Stats | Twitter
Match Notes: UAB
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB men's soccer team is set to host its annual home tournament, the "Soccer For A Cure" Classic this weekend at West Campus Field. Dayton, Jacksonville and Vermont will join the Blazers as the participating teams.
Dayton and Jacksonville will kick off the four-match tournament Friday afternoon with a 4:30 p.m. game. Following the opener, the Blazers will play undefeated Vermont in the nightcap. Jacksonville and Vermont will then play the first match on Sunday at 12 p.m. before UAB and Dayton close out the tournament at 2:30 p.m.
The 2014 season marks the 17th year of the UAB "Soccer for a Cure" Classic. UAB captured the tournament title in 2012, marking the ninth time the Blazers have won the event. The Blazers have won Classic titles in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2012.
Live video will be available for UAB matches only and live stats will be available through GameTracker for all four matches. For links to all video and live stats, refer to the links above. For in-game updates, be sure to follow the men's soccer page at the Twitter link above.
Bouncing Back
After opening the year with consecutive victories at home against Memphis and on the road against Mercer, the Blazers dropped two neutral site contests last weekend at the Holiday Inn Hurricane Classic hosted by Tulsa.
UAB fell to Cal State Northridge, 2-0, to open the tournament in Tulsa. The Blazers then had a short turnaround time to prepare for the nation's No. 3 team (at the time), and scored first against Virginia, but gave up two goals in the second half to drop the 2-1 decision.
The Green and Gold look to get back on track this weekend at its home tournament and will face an undefeated Vermont team and Dayton on Sunday, both of which were in the NCAA Tournament a year ago.
Home Tournament More Than A Few Soccer Matches
UAB's weekend tournament marks the 17th year of the "Soccer For A Cure" Classic. While there are four matches that take place on the field, the basis behind UAB's home tournament has always been a benefit for local children and their families in the Birmingham area.
UAB bandanas will be available at the tournament and minimum $1 donations will be accepted. All money raised this weekend will go to benefit Children's of Alabama and other local children, with all funds staying local in Birmingham.
Series Breakdown
The Blazers will face Vermont for the second time in program history on Friday night. UAB defeated the Catamounts, 1-0, back in 2009 at the Memphis Classic in Memphis, Tenn. Sunday's meeting with Dayton will be the third in UAB history as the Blazers defeated the Flyers, 4-2 and 7-1, back in 1993 and 1994.
Scouting The Opposition
Both UAB opponents this weekend were NCAA participants a season ago. Vermont is undefeated at 4-0 entering the tournament with wins over James Madison, Appalachian State, La Salle and St. Francis (N.Y.). The Catamounts are not ranked in the NSCAA Top-25, but are receiving the most votes (33) of any team.
Dayton is 1-2 entering the weekend but is a solid NCAA contender from a year ago. The Flyers went 14-2-3 in 2013 and won their most recent contest, 3-0, against Detroit.
For more information on the UAB men's soccer team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_MensSoccer). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official Twitter account of UAB Athletics (@UABAthletics).
