Sept. 3, 2008

UIC-Mercer Game Notes | Gametracker

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB men's soccer team will return to the friendly confines of West Campus Field when it hosts the No. 25 UIC Flames on Friday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. contest on Sunday, Sept. 7, against Mercer. The contests mark the Blazers' first home regular-season matches of the 2008 campaign.

"This is going to be a big weekend for us," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "UIC is one of the top programs in the nation and is coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance last year. Mercer has always played us tough and will be another challenge for us. We are hoping to get a lot of fan support and get a real home field advantage this weekend."

The Blazers enter the contests with a 1-1 record after splitting two games at the Memphis Diadora Tournament last weekend. UAB defeated Oral Roberts, 2-1, before falling to then-No. 21 Bradley, 2-1. Two-Boys Gumede leads UAB with two goals and four points on the campaign. In fact, the junior midfielder has scored one goal in all four of UAB's games this season (including two exhibition contests). Senior Derek Rios added a goal and an assist and is just behind Gumede with three points this season.

The Flames enter Friday's match sporting a 1-0-1 record on the campaign. UIC opened with a 2-2 tie against UMKC on Aug. 29, but rebounded with an exciting 4-3 victory over then-No. 5 Santa Clara last Sunday. Leading the way for the Flames is junior forward Baggio Husidic, who has collected five points on two goals and an assist. He is one of five players who have found the back of the net this season for UIC.

UIC's style should look familiar to UAB fans. Head coach John Trask played at Indiana from 1984-87, while Getman was an assistant coach with the Hoosiers. The two also coached together and have remained long-time friends.

"I've known John for close to twenty-five years," said Getman. "I first coached him as a player and then later worked alongside him when we were both assistants at Indiana. It's easy to see why we play the same way."

The Mercer Bears will invade West Campus Field on Sunday, marking the third consecutive season the two teams have played in Birmingham. The Bears played just one game last weekend, resulting in a 1-1 tie against N.C. State on Aug. 31. Mercer will play at Alabama A&M on Friday night before coming to play the Blazers on Sunday.

The Bears are led by senior defender Bolade Ogunmade, who was tabbed the Atlantic Sun Defensive Player of the Week last week. Ogunmade scored the lone goal for Mercer in the 67th minute to force the tie against the Wolfpack.

Friday night's contest marks the first time UAB and UIC have met on the pitch, while the Blazers have never lost to Mercer, sporting an 8-0-2 all-time record against the Bears.

Both contests are free to UAB students who have a valid student ID. Additionally, students and UAB men's soccer season ticket holders are encouraged to come and enjoy free food and drinks at a pregame tailgate that will begin 90 minutes before each game.