The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Men's Soccer Finally Home Against ECU, South Carolina
10/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 6, 2005
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB's men's soccer team opens the home portion of its Conference USA schedule at 7 p.m. CT Friday against East Carolina at West Campus Field. It is just the third home match of the season for the Blazers (5-4-1, 0-1-1 C-USA), who have played eight of 10 matches on the road. The Blazers will then host new C-USA affiliate men's soccer member South Carolina at 1 p.m. CT Sunday.
"We're just as anxious to get back home as our fans are to see us," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "Fortunately, I think we turned a corner in our last match (a 2-2 tie with No. 17 Tulsa) and are playing with confidence right now. East Carolina presents some challenges for our team. South Carolina presents some different challenges to us. We need two wins this weekend to put ourselves in better position for the Conference USA title. As such, we're going to need everyone in Birmingham there to help us. We've got the best fans in the country and we're glad to be playing at home for both them and for us."
East Carolina is 0-7-1 on the season and 0-1 in C-USA play. The Pirates look to bounce back from a 5-2 home loss to affiliate C-USA member South Carolina Sunday. ECU tied in-state rival High Point, 3-3, in their previous match up. Calvin Simon and Matt Kowaleski have four and three goals, respectively, to pace the Pirates.
"We have had some great battles with East Carolina in past years," Getman said. "We were fortunate enough to win 1-0 here last year against them, but the previous meeting in Birmingham, they tied us. This is Conference play, so their overall record is irrelevant at this point. These two teams are fighting for a league championship, so we'll have our work cut out for us."
South Carolina is 4-5 on the season but has won four straight after an 0-5 start. Ayo Akinsete has four goals for the Gamecocks. With the league win against ECU last weekend, USC stands two points ahead of the Blazers in the C-USA standings. The last time UAB met South Carolina, the Blazers won, 3-2 in overtime, in the 2001 NCAA Tournament in Columbia, S.C.
"I doubt a measure of revenge will be on their minds because that match was four years ago now," Getman said. "But South Carolina certainly wants to make a statement in their first year as a member of our league. Every match they play will be to prove something. We will have to match that intensity. I'm confident we will and that will make for a great soccer match."
UAB is led by junior midfielder Sandy Gbandi's four goals and four assists. The Houston, Texas product scored a pair of second half goals to lead the Blazers to a comeback tie at No. 17 Tulsa on Sunday. 2005 Hermann Trophy Watch List member Leandro de Oliveira has two goals and three assists for UAB as well. Maurice Hughes and Brian Garcia each have three goals for the Blazers while senior keeper A.J. Robles leads Conference USA with 55 saves on the season.
UAB is 1-1 at home this season with a win over Evansville and a loss to now-No. 25 UNC Greensboro in last month's UAB Classic. The Blazers were 8-1 at West Campus Field last year and have an all-time winning percentage of 79.3 percent there.
Admission to both matches if $5 for adults and $2 for children. UAB students are admitted free with a valid UAB I.D. Card.
UAB Men's Soccer Game Notes in PDF Format
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