The UAB men’s soccer team were rewarded for their 11-7-1 record and No. 21 national coaches’ poll ranking by receiving their third bid in four years to the NCAA College Cup tournament. They will host the Furman Paladins on November 20 at 5:30 p.m. at West Campus Field — the fourth time the school has ever hosted an opening round match. The announcement comes days after it was revealed the university’s soccer programs will soon be playing in a new home courtesy of a $1.5 million gift from BBVA Compass. It will be the team’s eighth ever appearance in the tournament.
The Paladins (12-5-3) earned an automatic bid by virtue of winning the Southern conference outright last week against Mercer. It will mark the team’s seventh postseason appearance, with Thursday’s meeting being the sixth time Furman and UAB have ever met on the pitch. The Blazers hold a 3-2-0 lead in the series. The last victory taking place the last time the two teams met — for a first round NCAA College Cup match in 2001. The winner advances to play Washington (12-5-1) on Sunday in Seattle at 5 p.m. PT.
This year’s College Cup semifinal and final matches will be held in Cary, NC on December 12-14, 2014 at WakeMed Soccer Park — the fourth time it will be held there since 2005.
Photo: via UAB Athletics website.