Oct. 16, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The 25th-ranked UAB men's soccer team will travel to Tulsa, Okla. for a crucial Conference USA match at Tulsa on Saturday night at 7 p.m. The Blazers, who are also ranked No. 2 in the Midwest Region, are currently riding an eight-game unbeaten streak (7-0-1) heading into Saturday's showdown.
The Golden Hurricane, ranked No. 3 in the Midwest Region, enters the contest with a 7-3-2 overall record and 2-0-1 mark in Conference USA, while the Blazers are 9-2-1 on the season and 3-0-1 in the league.
Freshman forward Kofi Gyawu, who is the reigning C-USA Offensive Player of the Week thanks to his hat trick against FIU last Saturday, leads the Blazers in goals (6) and points (13) on the season. Joining him up top is another offensive threat in sophomore forward Babayele Sodade, who is second on the squad in goals (5) and tied for the team lead in points (13). Sodade also leads the team in total shots (37) and shots on goal (19).
Senior midfielder Two-Boys Gumede, an All-America candidate and a Hermann Trophy nominee, is a two-time C-USA Player of the Week honoree. He leads the Blazers with three assists and is third on the team in goals (3) and points (9).
The Blazers boast one of the stingiest defenses in the country, allowing opponents to score only eight goals in 12 games (0.65 goals per game) this season. In comparison, the Blazers have scored 22 goals against the opposition on the campaign (1.80 goals per game).
Sophomore goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski, a two-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Week recipient, has been terrific in the net, and leads the league in goals allowed average (GAA) (0.58), save percentage (.863) and shutouts (5). Additionally the Columbus, Ind. native can be found among the nation's leaders in GAA (16th) and save percentage (20th).
Senior forward Jose Parada is leading the attack this year for TU, scoring five goals, including three game-winners, and earning three assists for 13 points. Ashley McInnes is just a point back with five goals and two assists, while Austin Neil and Hunter Christiansen have netted three goals and two assists for eight points each.
Andy Aguilar has logged 1,125 minutes in goal, and has picked up 45 saves and three shutouts. He has allowed 14 goals for a 1.12 GAA and a .763 saves percentage.
The contest can be followed live on Gametracker by logging onto UABSports.com.
