The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Host FIU, Florida Atlantic in Pivotal League Matches
9/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
FIU (1-7-1, 0-2-0) vs. UAB (4-5-0, 1-1-0)
7:00 p.m. CST | Birmingham, Ala. | BBVA Compass Field
Live Stats | Live Video | Game Notes
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – On the heels of its fourth straight home victory, the UAB women’s soccer team returns to the pitch Friday at 7 p.m. against FIU and Sunday at 1 p.m. versus Florida Atlantic from BBVA Compass Field.
In addition to its four-game home winning streak, UAB is 5-2-1 over its last eight home games and is outscoring its opponents 18-9 during that stretch.
“The key to our success in home matches is that our team knows we must fight to protect our house,” UAB head coach Harold Warren said. “Of course every game you must fight, but when it’s at your home field where you train, play, struggle and grow as a unit, defending is a top priority.”
UAB (4-5-0, 1-1-0 C-USA) enters the weekend coming off a thrilling 1-0 victory over UTEP Sunday in double overtime. Freshman Megan Hudgens scored the golden goal in the 109th minute to lift the Blazers to their second shutout of the season. Rachel Green picked up an assist on the play and now stands fourth in Conference USA and 30th in the NCAA with five assists.
Sophomore keeper Kelsey Daugherty made four saves and was tabbed the Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Week. The Kennesaw, Ga., native hasn’t allowed a goal at home in her last 222:42 minutes and ranks sixth in the league with 44 saves.
“Kelsey is one of the best keepers in the league and has been our anchor in the back all season,” Warren added.
UAB and FIU are meeting on the pitch for only the second time in school history when the schools kick off on Friday. The Panthers posted a 3-2 overtime win in 2013 in the only previous game between the two schools.
FIU (1-7-1, 0-2-0 C-USA) dropped a pair of conference matches in its two most recent outings and enters the weekend having scored only four goals all season. The Panthers are being outscored 20-4 this season and have yet to score against a C-USA opponent.
FIU senior midfielder Alyssa Robinson leads the team with six points on three goals, while freshman Michaela Rouse has scored one goal in three games and is second on the squad with two points.
Florida Atlantic (5-5-1, 1-1-0 C-USA) continues its four-match road trip Friday at Middle Tennessee before arriving in Birmingham on Sunday. The Owls have won two of their last three matches, but are 0-4-0 on the road and have yet to score a goal away from home.
Senior forward Sammy Rowland paces Florida Atlantic with nine points on four goals and one assist. Keeper Sydney Drinkwater owns a 0.92 goals against average and ranks seventh in the league with 43 saves.
“Both games this weekend are very important,” Warren said. “You always want to play well when conference play starts, so this week’s games are important to our position in the conference standings.
UAB will celebrate International Night on Friday and is encouraging all international students, mentors and mentees to attend the match. Additionally, the first 100 fans in attendance will receive a free UAB fanny pack.
For more information on UAB women’s soccer, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WSOC), Instagram (@UAB_WSOC) and Snapchat (@UABAthletics).
