The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Host Austin Peay, UT Martin to Open Season
8/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Austin Peay (0-0-0) vs. UAB (0-0-0)
7:00 p.m. CST | Birmingham, Ala. | BBVA Compass Field
Live Stats | Live Video | Game Notes
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB women’s soccer team ushers in the 2016 season with a weekend slate of games from BBVA Compass Field, as the Blazers host Austin Peay Friday at 7 p.m. and UT Martin Sunday at 7 p.m.
UAB debuted the city’s newest sports venue, BBVA Compass Field, on October 30, 2015, prior to the Blazers’ final home game of the regular season. The brand new state-of-the-art facility seats 1,500 and is located south of University Boulevard just east of I-65.
“The pitch is great and both the coaches and players are really excited to have this facility for this season and beyond,” UAB head coach Harold Warren said. “It’s our home now and we couldn’t be happier about having such a beautiful stadium here on campus.”
Warren enters his sixth season at UAB and welcomes back a roster that features seven starters from last season, which includes captains Marin Carter, Rachel Green and Bri Kuestersteffen. Additionally, the Blazers added seven newcomers that are expected to provide depth to a veteran roster.
UAB had its first taste of live game action earlier this month when the Blazers played in a pair of preseason road exhibition games. Freshman Megan Hudgens scored a goal Aug. 10 at Belmont to help UAB play to a 1-1 draw with the Bruins in the opening exhibition, but the Blazers were unable to find the back of the net four days later in a 2-0 setback at South Alabama.
“We didn’t get to play everyone in the two exhibition games, but we enter this weekend with a pretty healthy roster,” Warred added. “We’re all really excited to get on the pitch and show what type of team we have. I think this group has a different mentality than years past. They work hard, fight and get it done together and collectively.”
Austin Peay finished the 2015 season with an 8-10-0 overall record and was picked to finish seventh in the 2016 Ohio Valley Conference standings. The Governors return eight starters from last season, which includes two All-OVC performers. Austin Peay tied Georgia State 1-1 in its only exhibition game of the preseason.
UAB is 1-0-0 all-time against Austin Peay after posting a 4-3 overtime win last season. In addition, the Blazers are 7-0-0 all-time against the OVC with victories over Jacksonville State, Belmont and Tennessee Tech.
UT Martin was selected to finish fourth in the OVC preseason poll following a 2015 season that saw the Skyhawks turn in a 7-11-1 overall record. Led by head coach Phil McNamara, UT Martin returns 11 players from what was the youngest team in Division I last season. Sunday’s meeting will be the first on the pitch between UT Martin and UAB.
“We expect two really tough matches this weekend,” Warren said. “Every coach has certain tendencies, but we’re going to come out and be concerned about what we do. We have to focus on ourselves.”
Sunday’s match with UT Martin will also serve as Alabama Soccer Association Night. ASA members will accompany the Blazers for the National Anthem and starting lineups, participate in a halftime scrimmage and work as honorary ball girls.
The UAB Department of Athletics has announced an opportunity for fans to purchase a Gold Card which allows access to six different sports throughout the upcoming year.
The Gold Card provides general admission seating for every volleyball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, women’s basketball, baseball and softball game played at UAB during 2016-17 season, a total of over 100 games and matches.
A single admission Gold Card is $65, while a dual admission card can be purchased for $120, admission for three is $165, and a 4-pack of Gold Cards is $200. Fans who purchase a Gold Card will be given a membership card they show to gain admission into each specific event.
Additionally, single-game general admission tickets are $5 for adults (18 and older) and $3 for youth. Group rates of 15 or more are also $3.
For more information on UAB women’s soccer, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WSOC), Instagram (@UAB_WSOC) and Snapchat (@UABAthletics).
