Oct. 15, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB women's soccer player Tiffini Turpin picks up her second accolade this week, being named to SoccerBuzz's Elite Team of the Week, after scoring four goals in two games this past weekend. She was also honored as Conference USA's Offensive Player of the Week on Monday.

"We are excited and proud of Tiffini for this honor," said UAB head coach Paul Harbin. "This not only shows the kind of player she is, but it also reflects well on the way our team is playing at the moment."

Turpin, a freshman forward from Birmingham, Ala., led UAB to a 2-0 record last weekend with league wins over Rice and Houston. Against Rice, she tallied a pair of goals while also picking up an assist to help the Blazers defeat the Owls, 5-2. She repeated her two-goal effort in UAB's 4-1 win over Houston two days later.

"It is amazing for a freshman to make an impact like Tiffini has," said Harbin. "She is one of the most dangerous players in terms of scoring ability that I have seen this season. What is even more exciting is that she still has more to learn and will only get better."

Turpin has started all 14 games for the Blazers, leading the team in goals (6) and points (14). Five of her six goals this season have come in league games, which is best in the conference.

Turpin is the fifth player in UAB history to be named to a SoccerBuzz Elite Team of the Week, and the first player since Laura Richards earned the award on Nov. 8, 2006.

The Blazers will be in action on Friday when they travel to Tulsa, Okla. to take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT at the Hurricane Soccer Stadium.