Scouting UAB
Entering the tournament, the Blazers own the league's most potent offense and their most recent results suggest they haven't slowed down.
In the regular season's final two games, UAB scored an astounding 15 goals, including an 8-0 win over Houston in the season finale.
They lead the conference in total goals and goals per game and are riding a four game winning streak, outscoring opponents 19-3 during that span.
C-USA Player of the Year candidate Tara Kidwell leads the Blazers offense with 13 goals, five assists and 31 points. Her goal and point totals each lead the conference. But Kidwell is not alone; seven other players have between 3-7 goals scored this season.
Defender Pam Cooney and goalkeeper Katie Forbis anchor a UAB defense that ranks fourth in C-USA goals allowed (22). Forbis has started every game in goal and has four shutouts. She ranks fifth in goals against average and save percentage.
Scouting Memphis
When the Lady Tigers have won, they've done it with defense.In their 10-3 start, Memphis allowed just nine goals in 13 games, the fewest goals in the league to that point. In their 0-4 stretch following that record-breaking start, they allowed 10. The U of M hopes they reestablished their defensive dominance in their season-saving 1-0 win over Cincinnati.
Even with the four game hiatus, the Tigers posted good defensive numbers overall. They finished third in goals allowed (19) and goals against average (1.04). Freshman goalkeeper Natalie Haerens collected a single season record six shutouts and finished third in the conference in goals against average.The Tigers balanced offensive attack is led by Madison Cheek (six goals) and Carla Scanniello (five goals). A total of 14 players have scored at least one goal for Memphis this season. Midfielder Vicki Greenwell leads the team with six assists.
If Memphis is going to win this game, they have to put away their chances. All season, Memphis has struggled to put the ball in the net, knocking home just 1 out of 10 shots. Their shot percentage of .099 ranked tenth out of 14 C-USA teams.
UAB has been dangerous on offense for a month, scoring at least two goals in seven of their last eight games. The Blazers have been shutout just three times this season and not at all since Sept. 26 against Louisville.If the Tigers can't muster a couple of goals, their chances of advancing to the semifinals are slim.
