Aug. 14, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB women's soccer team will play its first match of the 2008 season on Sunday when they take on the Mexico Under-20 National Team in an exhibition contest. The game will be played at 7 p.m. CT at the Jack Allen Soccer Complex in Decatur, Ala.

The Blazers, under the direction of head coach Paul Harbin, boast a talented squad that includes 14 returning letterwinners and seven returning starters from last season. That experience, combined with the addition of nine newcomers, is sure to make for another exciting season of UAB women's soccer.

"We think we have the means to be a very successful team this year," said Harbin. "We will have a young team, but we bring back a lot of experienced players. The crucial aspect will be how quickly we can integrate everyone on the same page. The quicker we can accomplish that, the better our chances are for a good season.

"Even though we have 14 returnees, eight of those are sophomores. Add that with nine newcomers and that makes for a really young team. However, our young players have a lot of experience that they can bring to the table."

FORWARD

UAB has five returnees at forward, led by juniors Danya Barsalona and Allison Auchter. Barsalona has been a two-year starter for the Blazers and was second on the team with seven goals, three assists and 17 points a season ago. Auchter saw her playing time increase last year and will provide experience in the Blazers' front line.

"Danya has matured as a player," said Harbin. "It's time for her to become a leader up front. I think this is the year where she will establish herself as a top player in Conference USA.

"Allison has improved quite a bit during the past year. I know she has worked very hard this summer on her skills and her fitness. If she is fit and assertive on a daily basis, she can really do great things for us."

Also returning at forward are sophomores Maureen Bellare, Morgan Haney and Janet Self. Haney has the most experience of the three, playing in 18 games as a freshman, while Bellare and Self played sparingly in their first year at UAB.

"Morgan is very versatile and extremely quick," said Harbin. "Her composure has improved and she needs to step up and provide that impact in her second year. Janet is extremely talented. She is one of our best finishers and maybe has the most powerful shot on the team. Maureen is getting used to the pace of the game. The difference between the fall and spring was a tremendous jump for her. She learned to play simple and under pressure."

Newcomers include freshmen Tiffini Turpin and Allison Young, who will both be looking to make an immediate impact for the Blazers.

"Tiffini is an explosive goal scorer who plays with equal amounts of passion, determination and flair," said Harbin. "Allison is also very explosive and is extremely quick. Her ability to get behind defenders makes her an extremely dangerous player for opponents to defend."

MIDFIELD

UAB's most experienced position is midfield, led by the team's only two seniors, Nadine Liverpool and Caitlin Marple.

"Nadine and Caitlin are two seniors that can step out and be two of the better players in C-USA," said Harbin. "They have the ability to do it. Their task is to be leaders on and off the field. "

Sophomores Allison Belsterling, Justine Hartigan and Marie Yempuku also come back for the Blazers. Hartigan and Yempuku were starters as freshmen and had a huge impact on UAB's success in 2007. Hartigan finished the year with four goals and one assist, while Yempuku provided a solid presence on the field for the Blazers. Belsterling gained valuable playing time a season ago and will look to expand her role this year.

"Justine is coming in much more mature as a player," said Harbin. "With that maturity, her game is sure to improve and move to the next level. Marie got a much better understanding for what her role is during the spring. She's done well as a holding midfielder. She'll come in with a lot of experience at a crucial spot on the field. Allison needs to be more assertive. She's a very creative player, but needs to learn to step out of her comfort zone."

UAB will have five new faces in the midfield this season, including junior college transfer Ayana Russell and freshmen Laura McCalla, Sarah Nicole Peters, Carolyn Polcari and Natalie Watkins.

"Ayana has great experience and can step right in and make a difference," said Harbin. "Laura, Sarah Nicole, Carolyn and Natalie are also very talented and skilled players. Everyone will have a chance to compete for a spot this fall and make a contribution to the team."

DEFENDER

Juniors Danielle Blair and Toni Gockel highlight the returning defenders for UAB. Blair has been a two-year starter for the Blazers and Gockel moved to defender as a sophomore, where she started 18 games.

"Danielle has been a solid player for us," said Harbin. "She knows how important it is for her to continue to grow as a player for us. Toni had a good season last year. She missed the spring with an injury, so a lot depends on how quickly she steps back into it."

New to the Blazers' lineup at defender is freshman Pascale Pinard. Pinard has a great deal of experience and is one of the newcomers that is expected to impact the team right away.

"Pascale is a smart and very athletic player," said Harbin. "She has a good chance of stepping in and filling one of our centerback spots right away."

Sophomore Allysha Chapman, who earned a spot on C-USA's All-Freshman team last year, is still on the roster, but will miss the upcoming season because she is in residency with Canada's U20 World Cup team that is preparing for the U20 World Cup that will be held in Chile in November.

GOALKEEPER

UAB's go-to goalkeeper will once again be Kate Blankenship, a sophomore who set a school record for shutouts in a season with nine in 2007. Blankenship played every minute in goal a season ago, allowing just 16 goals in 19 games for a school-record goals allowed average of 0.82.

"Kate learned a lot and grew tremendously through the fall," said Harbin. "She had an offseason injury that prevented her from participating in the spring. She finished last season ready to take the next step. It'll come down to how quickly she gets into training this fall."

Also able to come in and provide quality minutes in the net for the Blazers is redshirt freshman Ashley Park.

"Ashley was thrown into the goal this past spring when Kate was hurt," said Harbin. "She redshirted in the fall but played every minute in the spring."

"It's opened up to be a battle for the position. I'm confident that between the two of them, it will be one of the strongest parts of our team."