BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Seven participants from the 2013 NCAA Tournament highlight the 2014 schedule for the UAB men’s soccer team, head coach Mike Getman announced on Thursday. Four of the 17 opponents that UAB will face were among the top sixteen seeds in last year’s national tournament.

“Every year we try to challenge our players to be the best they can be, playing top quality opponents is the best way to do this,” commented Getman. “I think this year’s schedule is our toughest yet, but I know that this team will be up for the challenge.”

The 2014 home slate features former Conference USA-foe Memphis, 2013 NCAA Tournament participant Old Dominion, and 2013 national semifinalist New Mexico. The 17th Annual “UAB Soccer for a Cure” Classic pits the Blazers, Dayton, Jacksonville, and Vermont.

On the road, UAB will head to the Tulsa Classic to face Virginia, a 2013 national quarterfinalist, and Cal State Northridge, the No. 15 seed in the last season’s national tournament. The Green and Gold will also play Coastal Carolina, Akron, and Charlotte away from home.

UAB will play three exhibition matches in preparation for the regular season. The Blazers will open with 2013 national tournament qualifier Clemson on the road on Saturday, Aug. 16, before hosting AUM and Lipscomb at West Campus Field.

The Blazers will host Memphis on Friday, Aug. 29 in its season-opener and head to Mercer for its second contest of the year on Sunday, Aug. 31.A challenge waits in UAB’s next two games, as UAB heads to the Tulsa Classic. The Blazers will first play Virginia on Friday, Sept. 5, before taking on Cal State Northridge on Sunday, Sept. 7.

UAB will host its annual home tournament, “UAB Soccer for a Cure” Classic, from Sept. 12-14. Dayton, Jacksonville, and Vermont will join UAB at West Campus Field. Non-conference play concludes with a trip to Coastal Carolina, home game against Missouri State, and match at 2010 national champion Akron on Saturday, Oct. 4.

In Conference USA action, UAB will host Kentucky (Oct. 8), Marshall (Oct. 18), New Mexico (Oct. 29), and Old Dominion (Nov. 1). The squad will travel to FIU (Sept. 27), South Carolina (Oct. 11), Charlotte (Oct. 24), and Florida Atlantic (Nov. 8) for league play.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

ECNL Girls N. Atlantic Players to Watch

Women's NCAA Tournament Round Two Preview

Best of Men's College Soccer Week 13