The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Earns Three All-Conference Honors
11/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Conference Release
IRVING, Texas - The UAB men's soccer team had three players earn All-Conference USA accolades on Tuesday afternoon. Goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky and midfielder David Valverde each earned second team honors while defender William White was named to the third team. The Blazers also saw forward Massimo Ferrin and midfielder Eder Mora named to the All-Freshman team.
The Blazers earned their 21st C-USA Tournament berth this season, the most in conference history, during a campaign that saw them win their 100th C-USA game on the way, the most in the conference's history.
Kuzminsky has had an incredible season as the UAB goalkeeper, ranking among the nation's best in multiple statistics. His 71 saves are the most in C-USA and 22nd in the nation. Kuzminsky is also second in the conference in save percentage and 29th in the country (.811). The Denver, Colo., native has five shutouts this season which is tied for the seventh most in school history for a single season. He is now at 188 career saves, good for seventh in the program's record book and is one win away from the top five all-time.
Valverde earns his second team nod after being one of only five Blazers to start every game this year and the only midfielder to do so. The quarterback of the UAB attack has started in 29 consecutive games dating back to last season. The junior from Mobile, Ala., has tallied two assists this season, the most recent coming in the regular season finale versus FIU.
White also rarely missed action for the Blazers this season. The senior missed only two contests while starting the other 15. White is a vocal leader on the backline who is also regularly tasked with getting into the box on set pieces and using his large frame to the Blazers advantage.
The UAB offensive attack saw many new faces and Ferrin played well up front in his first season. He tied the team lead in goals (three) and points (seven) while pacing the team with 41 shots and 17 shots on goal. The Canadian started all 17 games this season and scored twice in a 2-2 tie at UNC Greensboro and buried a penalty kick for this other goal in a 3-1 in over Howard.
Mora consistently mixed into the midfield throughout his freshman campaign. He earned eight starts across the 14 games he appeared in. The Dalton, Ga., native has started six straight contests after missing the previous three games. Mora aides on both the defensive and offensive side for the Blazers and is consistently used for long throw-ins to add an extra dimension to the UAB attack.
UAB plays FIU tomorrow, November 9, at 7 p.m. EST in Huntington, W.Va, for the opening round of the Conference USA Tournament. The winner will go on to face the winner of the South Carolina versus Old Dominion game.
