The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Men's Soccer Hosts Florida Atlantic Saturday
10/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
UAB (4-8-0, 1-3 C-USA) vs. Florida Atlantic (1-10-2, 1-5 C-USA)
Details: Saturday, Oct. 24 | 7 p.m. CT
West Campus Field (2,500) | Birmingham, Ala.
Game Coverage: Live Stats | Watch Live | Twitter | UAB Notes
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB men's soccer team continues the Conference USA campaign Saturday when it hosts Florida Atlantic at West Campus Field.
First kick is set for 7 p.m. Saturday night. Live stats and live video will be available for the match and can be accessed in the links above.
First Kick
- UAB and Florida Atlantic meet for the fifth time on Saturday when the Blazers host the Owls at West Campus Field.
- After dropping the first match in the series back in 2000, the Blazers have won three-straight over Florida Atlantic.
- The Blazers are coming off five-straight matches versus teams who appeared in the NSCAA Top-25 poll, including a 3-2 setback Sunday night at New Mexico. After opening up a 1-0 lead at the break, and increasing it to 2-0 quickly in the second half, the Lobos stormed back for three second-half goals.
- Seniors Ian Svantesson and Freddy Ruiz have carried the load for the Green and Gold as of late. Svantesson has scored in two-straight matches and three times in the last four outings, while Ruiz has recorded goals in three-straight matches and four times in the last five contests. The duo has combined for 11 goals, four assists and 26 points this season. Berry Sonnenschein has also recorded assists in two-straight matches, and leads the squad in that category with five.
- This season has seen many UAB players set career marks. DeAndre Robinson kicked the year off scoring a goal in the opener vs. Memphis, the first of his career. Newcomer Berry Sonnenschein, an international transfer, has evolved into a leader on the backline for the Blazers. Henrique Sposito, a junior, recently notched the first goal of his career vs. FIU. Aaron Getman-Pickering, Chandler Stroupe and Hunter Weber have all made the first starts of their careers this season.
- With his goal versus New Mexico senior forward Freddy Ruiz now ranks tied for fourth all-time in UAB career goals with 29, and is one goal away from tying for third.
- In the C-USA race for the C-USA Championship, UAB currently sits in a tie for sixth. The Blazers and New Mexico both have three points with a 1-3 record, while the Owls of Florida Atlantic are 1-5, also with three points. The top seven teams determined by points following the regular season will qualify for the C-USA Championship, Nov. 11-15 in Charlotte, N.C.
Scouting The Opponent
Florida Atlantic has had a rough go in the 2015 slate, going winless in the first 12 matches before recently securing the first win of 2015. Picked to finish last in the C-USA Preseason Poll, the Owls are 1-5 in league play with the lone win coming against Marshall (1-0) this past Monday.
Despite a 1-10-2 record, the Owls have played seven games decided by just one score, while also tying in two matches. Florida Atlantic's most notable tie came versus Florida Gulf Coast, when the two squads finished 0-0 in two overtimes. The Owls also fell to No. 15 South Carolina by just one score, 2-1.
As a unit the Owls have struggled to find scoring, averaging just 0.62 goals per game. The squad has scored just eight goals all year, while giving up an average of 2.15 per contest.
Three players have each scored twice for the Owls, led by Ramon Whittaker, Thomas Gallits and Elijah McDonald. Gallits leads the team with five points, while Whittaker's 13 shots for six on goal lead the club. Phillip Hitpass and Josh Nolan have split time in goal thus far in the season, with Hitpass allowing the fewest goals, 1.55 per game with 24 saves.
Series History
UAB heads into Saturday night's matchup versus the Owls having won three-straight in the short series history. Florida Atlantic was victorious in the first meeting back in 2000, but the Blazers have since won 5-0 (2001), 6-2 (2013) and 3-0 (2014).
The programs have met twice in Birmingham, the first time in 2001 and also in 2013, when the Owls officially joined as members of C-USA. Last season's win was especially significant, giving the Blazers win No. 350 all-time, and also securing the sixth-straight 10-win season for the program.
Looking Ahead
UAB hits the road for two-straight matches, first at Kentucky next Wednesday, followed by a Saturday night match at Marshall on Oct. 31.
The UAB men's and women's soccer teams will call BBVA Compass Field their new home, beginning with the 2016 season. The soccer-specific facility has been made possible through the generosity of BBVA Compass and other devoted donors. For construction updates and monthly photo galleries please visit UABSports.com and click on the men's or women's soccer home page.
For more information on the UAB men's soccer team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_MensSoccer), on Facebook or on Instagram (@UAB_mens_soccer). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UABAthletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uabathletics) or on Snapchat (@uabathletics).
