Sept. 23, 2003

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- The UAB men's soccer team has risen to No. 7 in the latest NSCAA and College Soccer News top-25 polls, announced on Tuesday morning. In addition, the Blazers are tied for first with North Carolina in the NSCAA South Region poll.

The Blazers are also tied for 8th in the nation in the latest Soccer Times poll and are 12th in the Soccer America.

Last week, UAB (5-0-2, 1-0 C-USA) defeated Conference USA rival East Carolina, 4-3, in the conference opener for the Blazers. Leandro de Oliveira, the C-USA Offensive Player of the Week, scored the game-winning goal and added an assist, while senior Mikey Spitzer also had a goal and assist on the afternoon. De Oliveira was also selected to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week for his efforts.

The Blazers' 5-0-2 start marks the best start to a season in school history, eclipsing the previous mark of 4-0 set on three occasions, the last coming with a 4-0 record to start the 2001 campaign. In fact, UAB has opened the season with five shutouts in their first seven contests. UAB began a season without allowing a goal through its first four games, tying a school record.

UAB will continue play in Conference USA when it plays host to defending C-USA regular season championship Marquette on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. on West Campus Field.