The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Set to Host UNC Asheville, McNeese State
8/31/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
UNC Asheville (2-2-0) vs. UAB (1-2-0)
7:00 p.m. CST | Birmingham, Ala. | BBVA Compass Field
Live Stats | Live Video | Game Notes
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB women's soccer team begins the month of September with a weekend slate of matches from BBVA Compass Field that begins Thursday at 7 p.m. against UNC Asheville and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. versus McNeese State.
UAB (1-2-0) enters the weekend coming off a setback last Friday at Louisville, but the Blazers posted a 4-1 victory over UT Martin in their last home match. Additionally, the Blazers have outscored opponents 5-3 in two home games this season.
Senior forward Sarah Morris leads UAB with four points on a pair of goals. The Nashville, Tenn., native netted both goals against UT Martin for her first career multi-goal game. Sophomore midfielder Marin Carter has two assists to go along with one goal and is tied with Morris with four points.
Sophomores Jessica Do and Caroline Kehrer have also scored goals this season.
"We accomplished a lot this week in practice to raise the level of our play heading into the weekend," UAB head coach Harold Warren said. "I think we are in a good place mentally and I expect we'll show that when we take the pitch."
UNC Asheville (2-2-0) opened the season with losses to Tennessee Tech and The Citadel before reeling off back-to-back wins at Wofford and Western Carolina. Freshman forward Rachel Snyder and sophomore midfielder Ellie Stone lead the Bulldogs with four points on two goals apiece.
UAB and UNC Asheville will be meeting on the pitch for the first time in school history on Thursday. In addition, UAB has never faced a team currently in the Big South Conference.
All fans are encouraged to wear gold with the first 150 fans in attendance receiving a free tank top. In addition, UAB SAAC Executive Board members will be in attendance in preparation for the first meeting of the fall -- Monday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Bell Theatre.
McNeese State (2-0-0) posted wins over Conference USA foe Louisiana Tech and Texas State on its opening weekend. The Cowgirls face Southern on Friday before arriving in Birmingham for their Sunday match with the Blazers.
Junior Savannah LaRicci leads McNeese State with four points on two goals, while keeper Annie Bravenec has allowed just one goal while making six saves.
UAB has never faced McNeese State in school history but is 1-0 all-time against the Southland Conference.
"I feel like if we do what we train to do, we will be in good shape," Warren added. "We always expect tough games, but we should be alright if we focus in on what we need to do to be successful."
For more information on UAB women's soccer, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WSOC), Instagram (@UAB_WSOC) and Snapchat (@UABAthletics).
