Men's Soccer Set To Host 2011 UAB

Sept. 14, 2011

UAB Game Notes^[1] | Tournament Central^[2]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB men's soccer team will return to action this weekend when it hosts to 2011 "Soccer For A Cure" Classic at West Campus Field. The Blazers will play a pair of games in the event, taking on No. 20 VCU on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. followed by a 2:30 p.m. matchup vs. Milwaukee on Sunday.

Students who present a valid UAB ID are welcome to enjoy free food and drinks beginning 60 minutes prior to each UAB contest. Furthermore, 100 lucky students who enter their name in a raffle on Friday night will have the opportunity to win an authentic UAB men's and women's soccer jersey.

This marks the 13th straight year UAB has hosted its annual classic and the fourth season that the tournament has been tabbed the "Soccer For A Cure" Classic. The event helps raise money to aid cancer victims and their families through the sport of soccer. The money that is raised by the event will remain in Birmingham and be divided among cancer research facilities. Last year, the event raised several thousand dollars for families affected by cancer. This year's event should be another exciting tournament, featuring three squads who each have a legitimate chance to earn a spot in this year's NCAA Tournament field.

The highlight of this year's tournament will certainly be the Blazers' opening contest against No. 20 VCU (5-1, 0-0 CAA) on Friday night, which will pit mentor vs. pupil. Rams' head coach Dave Giffard, who spent five seasons (2000-04) as an assistant coach under Blazers' head coach Mike Getman^[3] at UAB, is now in his second season at VCU. Giffard brings seven starters and 12 letterwinners back from last season's 8-5-6 team.

Prior to the Blazers and Rams taking the pitch, the tournament will kick off with Milwaukee (3-2, 0-0 OVC) facing Gardner-Webb (1-2-2, 0-0 Big South) at 5 p.m. It will mark the first appearance by Gardner-Webb at West Campus Field since taking on the Blazers in the opening round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs and Blazers tied that contest 1-1; however, Gardner-Webb advanced to the second round on penalty kicks.

On the tournament's final day, Gardner-Webb will square off against VCU at noon, followed by UAB taking on UW-Milwaukee in the Classic's finale at 2:30 p.m. The Panthers return six starters and 11 letterwinners from last season's 6-10-3 squad.

UAB captured the tournament title in 2010, marking the seventh time in the 13 years the Blazers have won the event. UAB has now won Classic titles in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2010.

Last Time Out The UAB men's soccer team outshot Georgia State, 20-8, but could only muster one goal in a 1-1 draw Sunday night at West Campus Field. UAB not only outshot the Panthers, but had a 12-3 shots advantage in the second half and two overtimes alone. In fact, of the Blazers' 20 shots on the night, 12 came on frame. However, Georgia State goalkeeper C.J. Cochran was up for the challenge, making 10 saves - many of which were of the diving variety. UAB goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski^[4] was strong in the net as well, making two saves.

Off To Second-Best Start In School History The Blazers remain unbeaten through their opening five contests of the 2011 season. UAB's 3-0-2 record is the second-best start to a season in program history. Furthermore, just 24 of the 203 NCAA Division I teams remain unbeaten, including three C-USA teams (UAB, Memphis and UCF). Only the 2003 squad, which started 6-0-2 and was ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation, had a better start to a campaign.

UAB 3-for-3 On Players of the Week The collegiate soccer season in only three weeks old, but UAB has gone three-for-three on Conference USA Player of the Week awards. Senior goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski^[5], who was also named to the College Soccer News national team of the week on Sept. 6, was selected as the league's player of the week for the weeks of Aug. 29 and Sept. 5. Additionally, freshman forward Diego Navarrete^[6] was chosen as the C-USA Offensive Player of the Week for the week of Sept. 11.

Blazers Receiving Votes UAB's fast start to the season is beginning to receive national recognition. The Blazers have been receiving votes to be ranked among the top-25 in the nation by the NSCAA (received 14 votes in this week's poll). The Blazers are also ranked No. 5 in the Midwest Region by the NSCAA. Furthermore, the Blazers have also received votes to be ranked in the Soccer Times top-25 poll.

Woszczynski's Big Night The UAB men's soccer team battled Illinois-Chicago to a 1-1 draw on Sept. 4 at a soggy West Campus Field. Senior goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski^[7] stole the show as his 13 saves on the night ranked as the third-most stops in a game in program history. The Columbus, Ind. native made several spectacular saves en route to his career-high number. Only Jeremy Drake^[8] (15 saves at UCF on 10/7/06) and Harvey Torman (18 saves at Alabama A&M on 8/28/84) made more saves in a game at UAB.

Woszczynski Named As Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Candidate UAB goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski^[9] has been selected as a candidate for 2011 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in men's collegiate soccer. Woszczynski is one of 30 men's soccer players, and one of five goalkeepers, from around the country who were named to the initial list in August. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence - community, classroom, character and competition.

Game-Winners Galore Senior forward Babayele Sodade^[10] is off to a terrific start to his senior season. The Windsor, Ontario native leads the team in goals (4), assists (3) and points (11). Even more impressive is that Sodade has recorded all three game-winning tallies for the Blazers, which is tied for second in Conference USA.

UAB Hosts 2011 College Cup UAB will be the host school for the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship. The event will take place December 9 and 11, 2011 at Regions Park in Hoover, Ala. It marks the first time UAB has been named as the host school for an NCAA Division I championship in any sport. Not only will it be the first time the Blazers have hosted a national championship, but it is also the first time the College Cup will be played in the state of Alabama. UAB will host the event along with the Alabama Sports Foundation.

References

1. ^{^} UAB Game Notes (grfx.cstv.com)
2. ^{^} Tournament Central (uabsports.cstv.com)
3. ^{^} Mike Getman (www.fansonly.com)
4. ^{^} Carl Woszczynski (www.fansonly.com)
5. ^{^} Carl Woszczynski (www.fansonly.com)
6. ^{^} Diego Navarrete (onlyfans.cstv.com)
7. ^{^} Carl Woszczynski (www.fansonly.com)
8. ^{^} Jeremy Drake (www.fansonly.com)
9. ^{^} Carl Woszczynski (www.fansonly.com)
10. ^{^} Babayele Sodade (onlyfans.cstv.com)