The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men's Soccer Opens Conference Play At Memphis
9/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 26, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB men's soccer team will kick off its 2008 Conference USA campaign when it travels to Memphis, Tenn. to square off against the Tigers of Memphis Saturday night at 7 p.m. The contest marks the first time the Blazers will open C-USA play against the Tigers in the 30 games played between the two longtime rivals.
Saturday is the 30th time the Blazers and Tigers are meeting on the pitch - the most games UAB has played against any single opponent. Memphis currently holds a 16-13 advantage in the series; however, the Blazers snapped a two-game losing streak to the Tigers with a 1-0 overtime win last season. UAB forward Anthony King scored the game winner in the 104th minute of play. Even with the UAB victory, Memphis has reeled wins in six of the last nine meetings.
UAB (2-4-2) is led by senior Derek Rios' five points on the year (2g, 1a), but the forward has missed his team's last three games with an injury. In all, four UAB players have scored this season, as Rios, Two-Boys Gumede, Shane Elsner and Michal Mravec each have found the back of the net twice. Senior Carlo Schiavoni and freshman Andrew Barsalona lead the team with two assists apiece.
The Tigers come into the contest sporting a 2-6 record on the year, and are 0-1 in league play. Most recently, Memphis bounced back after its conference-opening loss at UCF (1-0 on Sept. 20) to defeat Missouri State, 2-0, this past Wednesday night.
Junior Brian Farrell, sophomore Ryan Ruble and senior Sean Goulding lead the offensive push for the Tigers. Farrell has recorded a team-leading three goals and six points, while Ruble (2g, 1a) and Goulding (2g, 1a) each have five points on the year.
The Blazers and Tigers have seen plenty of each other this season, as the teams played in the other team's home tournament earlier in the campaign. UAB visited the Memphis Diadora Tournament on Aug. 29 and 31 and defeated Oral Roberts, 2-1, before falling 2-1 to then-No. 21 Bradley. Memphis traveled to the UAB "Soccer For A Cure" Classic on Sept. 12 and 14.
The contest is schedule to kickoff at 7 p.m. CT at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex. The game can be followed live on Gametracker by logging on to UABsports.com.
