THE OPENING KICK: After opening the season with a scoreless draw, the Panthers look to secure the first win of the season at the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Aug. 27 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

RETURNING PANTHERS: Georgia State returns five key players from the 2023 season, including Hideto Gondo, Jousue Hangi, Justin McLean, Gavin Williams and Charlie Ward.
> Graduate goalkeeper Jouse Hangi, who played in every game for the Panthers in 2023, leads the nation in goals-against average and save percentage (1.00). His four saves per game rank fourth in the Sun Belt.
> Junior Justin McLean leads the Panthers in shots with two, which both came in the season opener against Belmont (Aug. 22).

NEW FACES: The Panthers welcome 12 newcomers to the 2024 roster, with seven transfers and five freshmen.
> Gustavo Marques: A junior from Indian Hills, Marques tallied an impressive 16 goals and six assists across his two seasons with the team.
> Braiden Hall: Hall, a junior transfer from USC Upstate, earned a spot on the Big South All-Conference Second Team in 2023 after recording seven goals and five assists during his two-year tenure.
> Tom Fillaudeau: As a junior from Iona, Fillaudeau earned All-MAAC First Team honors in 2023 and was a constant presence on the field, starting every match that season.
> Tyrone Kirunda: Graduate student Kirunda contributed three goals and seven assists during his three seasons at Santa Clara.
> Yuki Nakamura: Over the past two seasons at Cowley College, junior Yuki Nakamura appeared in 35 matches and found the back of the net twice.
> Miguel Ramirez: A graduate student from Duke, Ramirez registered three goals and six assists over the course of four seasons with the Blue Devils.

THE SURRENCY ERA: The Panthers have won 10 matches in six of the past eight seasons under Head Coach Brett Surrency. Head Coach Brett Surrency has 141 career wins which is two behind the Georgia State record of 143 by Coach Scottie O'Neal.

GAME ONE: Georgia State and Belmont played to a 0-0 tie Thursday (Aug. 22) at the GSU Soccer Complex. Josue Hangi recorded his sixth career shutout and finished with four saves on the night.

SERIES HISTORY: Georgia State won the previous meeting 5-1 at the GSU Soccer Complex on Aug. 28, 2023. The Panthers are 6-3-1 in program history against UAB. 

Following UAB, Georgia State will play Liberty in Lynchburg, Va., on Sunday, September 1, at 2:00 p.m.