Oct. 19, 2007

Birmingham, Ala. ----- The UAB men's soccer team will be looking for its first Conference USA victory of the season when it travels to face the Marshall Thundering Herd this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. The Blazers have never lost to the Herd on the soccer pitch, as UAB holds a 3-0 advantage in the series history entering this weekend's contest.

"This is a very important game for our team," UAB head coach Mike Getman said. "We have been in every game we have played this year, so I don't think confidence is an issue. But we just need to get a win and try and turn this thing around."

The two schools are looking for a victory to break out of recent slumps. The Herd enters Saturday's match riding a two-game losing streak. Marshall fell to then-10th-ranked SMU, 3-0, and gave up a late second half goal to suffer its second conference loss to Memphis, 2-1. The Herd is 7-5-2 overall and 1-2-0 in C-USA.

UAB is still looking for its first conference victory after its 0-4-0 start. The Blazers started the season 5-2 culminated by a 2-1 victory over then-No. 10 Indiana. However, since the upset, UAB has been 0-5-1 in its last six games. The Blazers have been without the services over several key starters during their losing streak, including the team's top two scorers in MAC Hermann Trophy candidate Dejan Jakovic and Frank Brown.

Jakovic is living up to his billing as one of the top players in the country, leading his team in goals (6) and points (13) on the season. Meanwhile, Brown is also making his presence felt, as the Preston, England native is second on the team with four goals and 10 points. Brown, who missed three games during the six-game winless streak, has returned to the lineup. However, Jakovic has not played during UAB's last three contests. The Blazers are 4-0 when Jakovic finds the back of the net this season, and 2-0 when the two leading scorers account for a goal in the same game.

Defensively, goalkeeper Wes Johnson, a two-time Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week, leads the Blazers. Johnson has recorded three shutouts and an impressive 1.08 goals allowed average this season.

Senior John Daniele was the lone Herd who recorded a goal in last week's action. Daniele has three goals on the season and five in his career. Brother Nick recorded his second assist of the season and career during the Memphis contest.

The Herd is still led by its forward Kolby LaCrone and his six goals. He is followed by seniors Jermaine Johnson and Daniele, both with three. Sophomore J.D. Hill ranks leads the squad with his five assists thus far.

Saturday's contest can be followed live on Gametracker.