The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men's Soccer Season Wrap-Up
11/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 27, 2006
Men's Soccer Season In Review
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala - The UAB men's soccer team ended another successful season with the program's fifth-ever berth in the NCAA Tournament and the 13th consecutive 10-win season. The Blazers finished the campaign with a 10-6-4 overall record, including victories over five ranked teams on the 2006 campaign.
Below are a few highlights from the 2006 season:
No. 23 UAB Selected To 2006 NCAA Tournament
For the fourth time in the last eight years, and fifth time overall, the UAB men's soccer team received a bid to the 2006 NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament, as announced by NCAA officials on Nov. 6. The Blazers played Gardner-Webb at West Campus Field on Nov. 11, battlling to a 1-1 tie before falling in penalty kicks, 3-1. It was just the third time in program history UAB hosted a men's soccer NCAA Tournament game (1999).
Finishing The Season Strong
UAB finished the 2006 campaign without a loss over its last five contests (3-0-2), marking the first time in the program's 29-year history the Blazers have closed a campaign unbeaten over its final three or more games. Even more impressively, four of the five Blazer opponents during the stretch were ranked among the top 25 (1-0 over then-No. 18 Kentucky on Oct. 14, 2-1 over then-No. 1 SMU on Oct. 25, 3-2 over No. 16 South Carolina on Nov. 1 and 1-1 vs. No. 2 SMU on Nov. 3). Furthermore, UAB became one of the top teams at the end of the season, with a 4-1-1 mark over its last six games and a 5-2-2 record during the final nine games.
Record Crowds Flock To See Nationally-Ranked Blazers
The No. 23 UAB men's soccer program played host to a record crowd, as well as the top crowd over consecutive home games in school history. When the Blazers hosted then-No. 1 SMU on Oct. 25, a West Campus Field record of 2,755 fans witnessed the 2-1 UAB victory, giving the Mustangs their lone loss of 2006. In UAB's next home contest against Gardner-Webb in the opening round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament (Nov. 11), 1,357 fans were on hand to see the Blazers and Bulldogs fight to a 1-1 tie, only to have Gardner-Webb advance on penalty kicks. Combined, 4,130 fans went through the turnstiles during the two-game stretch.
Five Wins vs. Top-25 Opponents
With its 3-2 victory over No. 20 South Carolina in the opening round of the C-USA Tournament on Nov. 1, UAB earned its fifth win over a top-25 team this season. The Blazers have also captured wins over then-No. 10 Notre Dame (1-0 on Aug. 25), then-No. 25 UNC Greensboro (3-2 on Sept. 8), then-No. 18 Kentucky (1-0 on Oct. 14) and then-No. 1 SMU (2-1 on Oct. 25). UAB finished with a 5-3-1 against top-25 competition, as well as a 3-1-1 mark against teams in the 2006 NCAA Tournament.
Two Blazers Selected All-Academic Conference USA
UAB men's soccer student-athletes Lukasz Kapwisz and Jeremy Drake were named to the to the 2006 Conference USA All-Academic Team, announced league officials on Nov. 1. With two representatives on the squad, the Blazers tied for the most student-athletes from any one school in the league. The all-academic team consists of 11 student-athletes that have earned a 3.2 cumulative grade point average or better and are a starter or key reserve on the men's soccer team.
Three Named All-Conference C-USA
The UAB men's soccer team received a double-dose of good news on Oct. 30. According to Soccer Times, the Blazers re-enter the weekly polls, coming in at No. 25 in the nation after an upset of then-No. 1 SMU. Additionally, three men's soccer players were named to the 2006 All-Conference USA team, announced league officials on Nov. 1.
Senior forward Jerson Monteiro and sophomore midfielder/defender Dejan Jakovic each earned First Team All-Conference USA accolades, while sophomore midfielder Two-Boys Gumede was tabbed a second team honoree. Each player earned a spot on last year's all-conference squad, while Monteiro and Jakovic were selected to the 2006 preseason all-conference team. One Goal Games
After three consecutive one-goal victories over South Carolina on Nov. 1 (3-2), SMU on Oct 25 (2-1) and at FIU on Oct. 28 (2-1), the Blazers remain tough to beat when the game is decided by a goal. UAB is now an impressive 9-3 on the campaign in games decided by one goal. The nine one-goal victories this season ties a school record for games won by a goal, matching the nine one-goal victories posted during the 2001 campaign. Head coach Mike Getman's teams are now 27-15 (.643) since the 2003 season in games decided by one goal.
Monteiro Ends Career As One Of The Top Players In UAB Soccer History
All-American candidate and First-Team All-Conference USA performer Jerson Monteiro closed his illustrious career as one of the top players in school history. The Houston, Texas native will finish second on the school's all-time scoring and points list, trailing only Dan Gaitan (1979-80), who had 37 goals and 93 points. Thanks in large part to his 14 goals and 35 points this year, both of which rank fifth on UAB's single-season lists, Monteiro finished his four-year career with 34 goals and 84 points.
Additionally, Monteiro closed out his career in grand fashion, recording at least one point over his final 10 games wearing the green and gold. During that stretch, Monteiro accounted for nine goals and three assists, and collected at least one point in all but three contests this season. Finally, along with his brother Flavio who was also a former UAB soccer player from 1999-2003, the Monteiro's combined for 64 goals and 169 points, making them the sixth-best brother duo at one school in NCAA DIvision I history.
