The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Men’s Soccer Season Preview: The Midfield
8/5/2017 8:38:00 AM | Men's Soccer
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – With the team's second leading scorer, Massimo Ferrin, returning for the Blazers in 2017 the UAB men's soccer team should feel comfortable at its midfield position.
Ferrin, along with Tarnue Tyler and David Valverde, highlight the seven returners with the addition of two newcomers the Blazers should have plenty of depth.
"It is probably the most dynamic part of our team," head coach Mike Getman said. "We have a lot of guys that have played a lot of minutes for us and have a lot of success.
#6 Massimo Ferrin | 5-11 | 160 | Sophomore
Ferrin, a Conference-USA Freshman Team honoree, finished second on the team in goals as a newcomer last season. He finished seventh in the league in shots per game (2.28) and eighth in total shots (41). Two of his goals came in a 2-2 tie at UNC Greensboro in UAB's first road contest and his third one came in a 3-1 victory over Howard. The Canada native represented the Blazers on the UAB "Soccer for a Cure" Classic All-Tournament team.
Getman on Ferrin: "I am not sure if he will be up front or in midfield for us, that will have to be determined over the next few weeks. He certainly is a terrific player so with a year under his belt I expect him to have an even better year. I thought he was maybe our most consistent performer last year so I expect great things from him this year."
#7 Ryan Sullivan | 5-11 | 165 | Redshirt Senior
Sullivan, a three-year letter winner for the Blazers, appeared in 15 games last season including making his first career start at Florida Atlantic. He recorded his first career assist in a 3-1 victory over Santa Clara.
Getman on Sullivan: "Ryan has started off and on for us the past year. He's a big, tough, smart guy who always seems to have an impact on the game. I think he's going to have a great senior season."
#10 DeAndre Robinson | 5-10 | 150 | Senior
Robinson appeared in nine games last season making three starts including the final two games of the season against FIU. He netted his third career goal in a 3-1 victory over Howard and tacked on an assist in the C-USA Tournament against FIU.
Getman on Robinson: "DeAndrea is probably the most technical player on our team with great skills. He is incredibly quick, has national team experience, and he has been with us for three years. He has all the tools it takes to be a great midfield player."
#11 Eder Mora | 6-0 | 175 | Redshirt Sophomore
Mora proved to be a consistent force in his first season of competition on campus earning Conference USA All-Freshman Team accolades. He appeared in 15 games making nine starts, including the final seven contests.
Getman on Mora: "He was a very skillful, very smart, very tough, very complete player for us last year. I think he will take on more of a leadership role this season."
#14 David Valverde | 5-10 | 150 | Senior
David Valverde enters his fourth and final season in the midst of a 30 game start streak dating back to his sophomore year. As a junior last year he earned Second Team All-Conference honors and was named the team MVP.
Getman on Valverde: "He's everything you want in a central midfielder: he's smart, skillful, athletic, tough, he's a leader and he has everything it takes. He's been so consistent for us the last three years and I know that his senior season is going to be a great one as well."
#20 Tarnue Tyler | 5-9 | 145 | Sophomore
Tyler, an immediate force for the Blazers as a freshman, finished tied for third on team in goals including netting the game winner in a 1-0 victory over Santa Clara. He was one of just five players to start all 18 games last season.
Getman on Tyler: "Tyler finished as our third leading scorer as a freshman and I expect him to have another great year. With a year of college experience under his belt I think he will come in a little bit more comfortable and a little more ready."
#22 Chase Rushing | 6-0 | 165 | Sophomore
Rushing appeared in 14 games for the Blazers last season splitting time at the forward and midfielder position. He netted the Blazers third and final goal against Marshall, the goal that would prove to be the final one in a 3-0 win marking the 100th C-USA win in school history.
Getman on Rushing: "Chase filled in in a number of different roles for us last year. He played in a couple of different positions as we needed him and every game he got better and better. During our trip to Italy this summer he was spectacular. I expect that he will challenge for a starting position right away He's made great progress and has an engine that never stops. I think he could have a big impact for us."
#22 Joseph Buete | 5-9 | 145 | Freshman
Buete comes to Birmingham with championship experience as he was a member of two state championship teams in high school. The North Carolina native was also a member of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
Getman on Buete: "Joseph is a defensive midfielder who is extremely smart and extremely skillful. He is the son of a coach so he thinks and plays like a coach. I expect him to give us a lot of help in the midfield and he has a soccer brain that can help our team."
#26 Brooks Stockley | 5-9| 145 | Freshman
Stockley, another North Carolina freshman native, played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Charlotte Catholic High School. He was also a member of the U.S. Development Academy.
Getman on Stockley: "Brooks is an attacking midfielder. He is very quick and very technical. He works hard all day long and I expect him to challenge for playing time 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 6 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).
Ferrin, along with Tarnue Tyler and David Valverde, highlight the seven returners with the addition of two newcomers the Blazers should have plenty of depth.
"It is probably the most dynamic part of our team," head coach Mike Getman said. "We have a lot of guys that have played a lot of minutes for us and have a lot of success.
#6 Massimo Ferrin | 5-11 | 160 | Sophomore
Ferrin, a Conference-USA Freshman Team honoree, finished second on the team in goals as a newcomer last season. He finished seventh in the league in shots per game (2.28) and eighth in total shots (41). Two of his goals came in a 2-2 tie at UNC Greensboro in UAB's first road contest and his third one came in a 3-1 victory over Howard. The Canada native represented the Blazers on the UAB "Soccer for a Cure" Classic All-Tournament team.
Getman on Ferrin: "I am not sure if he will be up front or in midfield for us, that will have to be determined over the next few weeks. He certainly is a terrific player so with a year under his belt I expect him to have an even better year. I thought he was maybe our most consistent performer last year so I expect great things from him this year."
#7 Ryan Sullivan | 5-11 | 165 | Redshirt Senior
Sullivan, a three-year letter winner for the Blazers, appeared in 15 games last season including making his first career start at Florida Atlantic. He recorded his first career assist in a 3-1 victory over Santa Clara.
Getman on Sullivan: "Ryan has started off and on for us the past year. He's a big, tough, smart guy who always seems to have an impact on the game. I think he's going to have a great senior season."
#10 DeAndre Robinson | 5-10 | 150 | Senior
Robinson appeared in nine games last season making three starts including the final two games of the season against FIU. He netted his third career goal in a 3-1 victory over Howard and tacked on an assist in the C-USA Tournament against FIU.
Getman on Robinson: "DeAndrea is probably the most technical player on our team with great skills. He is incredibly quick, has national team experience, and he has been with us for three years. He has all the tools it takes to be a great midfield player."
#11 Eder Mora | 6-0 | 175 | Redshirt Sophomore
Mora proved to be a consistent force in his first season of competition on campus earning Conference USA All-Freshman Team accolades. He appeared in 15 games making nine starts, including the final seven contests.
Getman on Mora: "He was a very skillful, very smart, very tough, very complete player for us last year. I think he will take on more of a leadership role this season."
#14 David Valverde | 5-10 | 150 | Senior
David Valverde enters his fourth and final season in the midst of a 30 game start streak dating back to his sophomore year. As a junior last year he earned Second Team All-Conference honors and was named the team MVP.
Getman on Valverde: "He's everything you want in a central midfielder: he's smart, skillful, athletic, tough, he's a leader and he has everything it takes. He's been so consistent for us the last three years and I know that his senior season is going to be a great one as well."
#20 Tarnue Tyler | 5-9 | 145 | Sophomore
Tyler, an immediate force for the Blazers as a freshman, finished tied for third on team in goals including netting the game winner in a 1-0 victory over Santa Clara. He was one of just five players to start all 18 games last season.
Getman on Tyler: "Tyler finished as our third leading scorer as a freshman and I expect him to have another great year. With a year of college experience under his belt I think he will come in a little bit more comfortable and a little more ready."
#22 Chase Rushing | 6-0 | 165 | Sophomore
Rushing appeared in 14 games for the Blazers last season splitting time at the forward and midfielder position. He netted the Blazers third and final goal against Marshall, the goal that would prove to be the final one in a 3-0 win marking the 100th C-USA win in school history.
Getman on Rushing: "Chase filled in in a number of different roles for us last year. He played in a couple of different positions as we needed him and every game he got better and better. During our trip to Italy this summer he was spectacular. I expect that he will challenge for a starting position right away He's made great progress and has an engine that never stops. I think he could have a big impact for us."
#22 Joseph Buete | 5-9 | 145 | Freshman
Buete comes to Birmingham with championship experience as he was a member of two state championship teams in high school. The North Carolina native was also a member of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
Getman on Buete: "Joseph is a defensive midfielder who is extremely smart and extremely skillful. He is the son of a coach so he thinks and plays like a coach. I expect him to give us a lot of help in the midfield and he has a soccer brain that can help our team."
#26 Brooks Stockley | 5-9| 145 | Freshman
Stockley, another North Carolina freshman native, played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Charlotte Catholic High School. He was also a member of the U.S. Development Academy.
Getman on Stockley: "Brooks is an attacking midfielder. He is very quick and very technical. He works hard all day long and I expect him to challenge for playing time 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 6 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
MF
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
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