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TEANECK, N.J. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson men's soccer team (3-1-0) faces its toughest test to date this weekend at the UAB “Soccer for a Cure” Classic in Birmingham, Ala. The Knights will take on host UAB on Friday at 8 p.m. before taking on Memphis on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
 
FDU moved up a spot in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) North Atlantic Poll, sitting at No. 5 this week following its 4-0 victory over Albany last Friday night at University Stadium. The Knights scored a pair of goals each half as they dominated all 90 minutes.
  
UAB, who was ranked No. 21 in the NSCAA preseason rankings and climbed to as high as No. 17, is off to a 3-2-1 start this season, while currently ranked No. 29 in the College soccer News Top 30 National Poll.
 
The Blazers defeated Mercer and Georgia Southern at home by identical 2-1 scores before going on the road and tying No. 8 Charlotte (now ranked No. 5) 1-1. UAB then lost at East Tennessee State in double overtime, 1-0, and at No. 8 New Mexico (now ranked No. 7) 2-0. The Blazers are coming off a 2-0 win at Clemson earlier in the week.
 
UAB, who was picked to finish fourth in the nine-team Conference USA, returns eight starters from a team that was defeated in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament last season, finishing with an overall record of 13-5-3.
 
Senior forward Kofi Gyawu leads the Blazers with three goals and one assist, while senior defender Mladen Lemez has chipped in two goals. Junior goalkeeper Raphael Ville has played every minute between the pipes for UAB, allowing only six goals and posting one clean sheet.
 
Friday's meeting will be the first ever on the pitch between the Knights and the Blazers.
 
Memphis, who also competes in Conference USA and was picked one spot behind UAB in the preseason poll, currently sits with an overall record of 1-2-1. The Tigers lost at home to Wisconsin (4-3) to start the year, defeated Belmont at home in double overtime, 2-1, lost to College of Charleston (2-0) at Furman before tying Furman 0-0.
 
Memphis returns eight starters from its squad that finished 11-6-1 last season, which lost in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament to UCF 4-3 in overtime.
 
Sophomore defender Chandler Gagnon leads the Tigers with three goals. Junior midfielder Liam Collins has added two goals, while redshirt junior forward Mark Sherrod has netted two goals and dished out one assist. Junior goalkeeper Connor Hurley has already given up nine goals, while playing every minute in all four matches this season.
 
Sunday's meeting will also be the first ever on the pitch between FDU and Memphis.
 
The Knights will not face nationally-ranked Washington, who plays Memphis on Friday and UAB on Sunday.