Nov. 5, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB men's soccer team has officially clinched a bid to the 2007 Conference USA Championship, hosted on UAB's West Campus Field on Nov. 14-18. The Blazers will play at 8 p.m. on Wednesday night (Nov. 14), but will have to wait and see who their opponent will be and what seed they will receive.

The Blazers are peaking at the right time as several key players have returned from injury. In fact, UAB has played with as many as eight regular starters off the field over the last month and a half. However, UAB has fielded a full squad in its last two contests, and has reeled off two big wins. For the first time since defeating then-No. 10 Indiana in Bloomington on Sept. 21, the Blazers had their regular starters on the field against the UCF Knights on Oct. 27 in a must-win contest. UAB battled throughout the game, capturing a 2-1 victory thanks to Trey Gregory's go ahead goal in the 54th minute. However, the Blazers had to clinch the win with a man down due to a red card, which sent a UAB player off with 35 minutes remaining in the contest. But the Green and Gold showed true heart and held the Knights without a shot attempt over the final half despite giving up a man advantage.

In the following game, the Blazers again showed their character when they battled regionally-ranked Memphis to the wire on Nov. 3. A goal midway through the second overtime by freshman Anthony King lifted UAB to a 1-0 victory on senior day, and all but assured the Blazers to a spot in the C-USA Championship.

It marks the second time in school history that the Blazers will serve as the host team of the entire championship event. The last time UAB hosted the C-USA Championship occurred during the 1999 campaign. That season, the Blazers defeated South Florida and No. 4 Saint Louis, both by scores of 4-0, en route to earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament. UAB would go on to advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAAs that year, marking the deepest NCAA Tournament run in school history.

The Blazers will close the 2007 regular season when it travels to take on the Golden Hurricane of Tulsa on Friday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. The Blazers and Golden Hurricane have met on four previous occasions, with Tulsa holding a 2-1-1 advantage in the series history.

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling the UAB athletic ticket office at 205-975-UAB1.