NORFOLK, VA—The ODU Soccer Monarchs (7-6-1/2-3-1) travel to Birmingham, AL to take on the Blazers of UAB (9-5-1/4-2) Saturday night at 8 p.m. (ET) in a C-USA matchup.
THE SERIES: ODU leads the series, 6-0. The Monarchs defeated the Blazers in Norfolk, 3-2 in overtime last year.
ABOUT UAB: The Blazers knocked off No. 15 New Mexico Wednesday, 3-2. Freddy Ruiz leads UAB and ranks second in C-USA in total points with 20 on nine goals and two assists. He is also the league’s leading goal scorer with nine. Alex Clay is tied for third in the league with seven goals and 18 total points. In goal for the Blazers is Joe Kuzminsky with a 1.18 goals against average and two shutouts.
Head coach Mike Getman, now in his 23rd season as UAB’s head coach, has led the Blazers to seven NCAA Tournament appearances and is the nation’s 18th winningest active coach in total wins with 297.
THE MONARCHS: The Monarchs enter the contest looking to get back into the winning groove after tough losses at New Mexico and at home to South Carolina.
Junior midfielder Ryan Codotta and sophomore forward Jesse Miralrio lead the Monarchs balanced attack with three goals, one assist and seven total points each, while freshman forward Tyler Edwards has two goals. Graduate student Christian Schroeer leads the team in assists with three, while sophomore Nicholas Hutchinson has two assists. Nine different Monarchs have scored atleast one goal thus far this season.
In goal, red-shirt sophomore Alex Tiesenhausen leads C-USA in total saves with 66, ranks fifth with a 1.03 goals against average and second in save percentage at .815. He also has four shutouts this season.
Head coach Alan Dawson ranks 13th nationally among the nation’s active coaches with 329 victories.
ODU HOSTS THE 2014 C-USA MEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS
Old Dominion will host the top seven finishers in the regular season standings for 2014 C-USA Men’s Soccer Championship, Nov. 12-16 at the Old Dominion Soccer Complex in Norfolk, Virginia. Tickets for the tournament are: $20 for adult, and $ 10 for youth. Single game tickets are: $10 for adults, $5 for youth, and $3 for groups of 10 or more. Admission is free for all C-USA students with a valid school ID.
C-USA CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Nov. 12 - Quarterfinals
Game 1 at 2:00 p.m.
Game 2 at 4:30 p.m.
Game 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Nov. 14-Semifinals
Game 4 at 4:30 p.m.
Game 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Championship game – 2:00 p.m. (Fox Sports Network)
NEXT UP FOR ODU:
Nov. 7 vs. FIU 7 p.m.
C-USA STANDINGS
No. 16 Kentucky 4-0-2 9-3-4 (14)
No. 7 Charlotte 4-1-1 12-2-1 (13)
RV UAB 4-2 9-5-1 (12)
No. 15 New Mexico 3-3 10-4-1 (9)
South Carolina 3-4 8-8 (9)
ODU 2-3-1 7-6-1 (7)
Marshall 2-4-1 4-8-3 (7)
FIU 2-4 6-7-1 (6)
FAU 1-4-1 1-10-2 (4)