The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Men’s Soccer Season Preview: The Defense
8/3/2017 3:17:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Part Two
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB men's soccer team finds leadership and experience with its two returning starters at the defender position. Team captain Mathieu Laurent and senior Evan Scarbrough highlight the six returning players with three newcomers making up the backline.
"They key to most team's success is how you defend and we return a lot of players in the back with experience," head coach Mike Getman said.
#2 Gael Mabiala | 6-1 | 175 | Junior
Mabiala transferred to UAB after spending the previous two seasons at Francis Marion. There he was named Second-Team All Peach Belt Conference in 2016. As a freshman in 2015 Mabiala finished tied for fourth on the team in goals (4) and fifth in points (11). In addition, he finished 20th in the PBC in assists, 21st in shots, 24th in goals and 25th in points.
Getman on Mabiala: "I think he will compete right away for a starting position at either right or left back. He is big, fast, skillful, smart and he has experience. He gives us more depth at the back."
#4 Andrea Pelizza | 6-3 | 175 | Sophomore
Pelizza earned the nod in 14 games during his freshman season playing the fifth-most minutes by a freshman on the team. He fired four shots with one being on goal.
Getman on Pelizza: "Pelizza will certainly compete for a starting role this fall. He is a big, smart, skillful kid who can play several roles. With a year of college experience under his belt I think he is ready to be a major contributor for us."
#13 Erik Henze | 6-1 | 185 | Redshirt Sophomore
Henze made his UAB debut on Sept. 27 against Howard after redshirting in 2015.
Getman on Henze: "He has improved so much that it has really been impressive. He has worked incredibly hard and has put himself in a position where he can really help this team."
#15 Mathieu Laurent | 6-3 | 175 | Redshirt Junior
Laurent started 17 games from the Blazers in 2016 and played every minute of every game. He earned Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week Honors after his performance against No. 15 Kentucky. He was also tabbed a member of the UAB "Soccer for a Cure" Classic All-Tournament Team after helping the Blazers to a second place finish.
Getman on Laurent: "He was our captain last year and I expect that he will have another great season for us. He's big, athletic, skillful, smart, he's a great leader and he has all of the qualities that you want. He gives us that anchor in the back that every team needs."
#16 Donovan Watson | 6-5 | 175 | Freshman
Watson comes to Birmingham by way of Toronto, Canada where he was a member of the Vaughn Soccer Club. In addition to soccer he was also a member of the track and field team in high school.
Getman on Watson: "Watson has all kind of experience coming out of Canada. He played on a great club team. He also ran track in high school and won a championship in that so he is incredibly fast. He will add some pace and athleticism for us in the back."
#17 Evan Scarbrough | 5-11 | 165 | Redshirt Senior
Scarbrough has been a consistent member of the UAB team for the past three seasons but earned a starting role for the first time last season making nine starts. He fired two shots on the season, both on goal.
Getman on Scarbrough: "Scarbrough started most games for us last season as our left back and I expect him to play a major role for us again at the outside back position."
#18 Chris Reichman | 5-11 | 160 | Redshirt Sophomore
After redshirting in 2015, Reichman made the most when his time was called last season playing in 12 games and earning three starts. He fired two shots, one on goal, and was tabbed the team's 2016 Most Improved Player.
Getman on Reichman: "Reichman played for us last year as a center back and is someone that I am not sure if he will play center or outside back this year. He is big, athletic, skillful, smart but also very versatile. He has experience as a center back and as an outside back so will have to figure out where he will play."
#21 Chandler Stroupe | 6-0 | 170 | Redshirt Senior
Stroupe played consistent minutes for the Blazers in 2015 appearing in 12 games during his junior season. Over the course of his career he has tallied 11 shots with four on goal.
Getman on Stroupe: "Two years ago he started almost every game for us at center back, last year he played as an outside back, this year we will have to figure out which role he can help the team most in. He has been with us for four years and knows what we do. He will certainly help us somewhere across the backline."
#30 Jake Futrell | 6-1 | 170 | Redshirt Freshman
Futrell redshirted in his first season on campus.
Getman on Futrell: "He was a redshirt for us last year but he is a great athlete. He is a skillful player and a tough kid that will compete right away."
"All of those guys have the ability and the experience of playing in the back for us," Getman said. "I expect our defense to be sock solid right from the beginning."
The Blazers kick things off this season when they host Clemson in an exhibition match on August 12. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at BBVA Compass Field.
For more information on the UAB men's soccer team follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_MSoc) or Instagram (UAB_MSOC).
"They key to most team's success is how you defend and we return a lot of players in the back with experience," head coach Mike Getman said.
#2 Gael Mabiala | 6-1 | 175 | Junior
Mabiala transferred to UAB after spending the previous two seasons at Francis Marion. There he was named Second-Team All Peach Belt Conference in 2016. As a freshman in 2015 Mabiala finished tied for fourth on the team in goals (4) and fifth in points (11). In addition, he finished 20th in the PBC in assists, 21st in shots, 24th in goals and 25th in points.
Getman on Mabiala: "I think he will compete right away for a starting position at either right or left back. He is big, fast, skillful, smart and he has experience. He gives us more depth at the back."
#4 Andrea Pelizza | 6-3 | 175 | Sophomore
Pelizza earned the nod in 14 games during his freshman season playing the fifth-most minutes by a freshman on the team. He fired four shots with one being on goal.
Getman on Pelizza: "Pelizza will certainly compete for a starting role this fall. He is a big, smart, skillful kid who can play several roles. With a year of college experience under his belt I think he is ready to be a major contributor for us."
#13 Erik Henze | 6-1 | 185 | Redshirt Sophomore
Henze made his UAB debut on Sept. 27 against Howard after redshirting in 2015.
Getman on Henze: "He has improved so much that it has really been impressive. He has worked incredibly hard and has put himself in a position where he can really help this team."
#15 Mathieu Laurent | 6-3 | 175 | Redshirt Junior
Laurent started 17 games from the Blazers in 2016 and played every minute of every game. He earned Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week Honors after his performance against No. 15 Kentucky. He was also tabbed a member of the UAB "Soccer for a Cure" Classic All-Tournament Team after helping the Blazers to a second place finish.
Getman on Laurent: "He was our captain last year and I expect that he will have another great season for us. He's big, athletic, skillful, smart, he's a great leader and he has all of the qualities that you want. He gives us that anchor in the back that every team needs."
#16 Donovan Watson | 6-5 | 175 | Freshman
Watson comes to Birmingham by way of Toronto, Canada where he was a member of the Vaughn Soccer Club. In addition to soccer he was also a member of the track and field team in high school.
Getman on Watson: "Watson has all kind of experience coming out of Canada. He played on a great club team. He also ran track in high school and won a championship in that so he is incredibly fast. He will add some pace and athleticism for us in the back."
#17 Evan Scarbrough | 5-11 | 165 | Redshirt Senior
Scarbrough has been a consistent member of the UAB team for the past three seasons but earned a starting role for the first time last season making nine starts. He fired two shots on the season, both on goal.
Getman on Scarbrough: "Scarbrough started most games for us last season as our left back and I expect him to play a major role for us again at the outside back position."
#18 Chris Reichman | 5-11 | 160 | Redshirt Sophomore
After redshirting in 2015, Reichman made the most when his time was called last season playing in 12 games and earning three starts. He fired two shots, one on goal, and was tabbed the team's 2016 Most Improved Player.
Getman on Reichman: "Reichman played for us last year as a center back and is someone that I am not sure if he will play center or outside back this year. He is big, athletic, skillful, smart but also very versatile. He has experience as a center back and as an outside back so will have to figure out where he will play."
#21 Chandler Stroupe | 6-0 | 170 | Redshirt Senior
Stroupe played consistent minutes for the Blazers in 2015 appearing in 12 games during his junior season. Over the course of his career he has tallied 11 shots with four on goal.
Getman on Stroupe: "Two years ago he started almost every game for us at center back, last year he played as an outside back, this year we will have to figure out which role he can help the team most in. He has been with us for four years and knows what we do. He will certainly help us somewhere across the backline."
#30 Jake Futrell | 6-1 | 170 | Redshirt Freshman
Futrell redshirted in his first season on campus.
Getman on Futrell: "He was a redshirt for us last year but he is a great athlete. He is a skillful player and a tough kid that will compete right away."
"All of those guys have the ability and the experience of playing in the back for us," Getman said. "I expect our defense to be sock solid right from the beginning."
The Blazers kick things off this season when they host Clemson in an exhibition match on August 12. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at BBVA Compass Field.
For more information on the UAB men's soccer team follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_MSoc) or Instagram (UAB_MSOC).
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Defender
/ Men's Soccer
D
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