Alabama
10-2-0, 1-1-0
Tennessee
8-3-0, 2-0-0
Alabama Soccer Drops Heartbreaker to No. 14 Tennessee
10/6/2002 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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KNOXVILLE, TN—The University of Alabama women's soccer team just ran out of time as they fought and battled for 90 minutes before dropping a 3-2 match to the No. 14 ranked Tennessee Lady Vols.
The Tide (10-2, 1-1 in the SEC) led twice during the match but UT fought back both times to tie the game before finally scoring the game-winner late in the second half.
"Today our kids showed that they can compete with anybody in the country," said Alabama Head Coach Don Staley. "I'm proud of the kids for this weekend's split because they proved they can win on the road and that we won't back off from anybody."
The Crimson Tide drew first blood at the 21:33 mark when Katie Holtzapfel controlled a loose ball just outside the left corner of the 18-yard box and took a shot on goal that was deflected by Lady Vol goalie Ellen Dean. Cally Morrill was there for the put back and a 1-0 Alabama lead.
Tennessee (8-3, 2-0) answered nearly six and a half minutes later when Kim Patrick took a shot that Tide goalie Courtney Rogers deflected but was unable to hold on to the ball and Kristin McGrath was there for the put back to tie the game at 1-1.
Alabama broke the tie at the 59:34 mark when Dawn Nash dribbled her way through two Tennessee defenders and beat Dean for her 10th goal of the season and a 2-1 Crimson Tide lead.
However, Tennessee answered nearly seven and a half minutes later when Kayla Lockaby turned and fired a shot from the right side of the 18-yard box over the outstretched arms of Rogers to tie the game at 2-2.
The Lady Vols finally claimed the lead for the first time in the match when Kim Patrick took a cross from Tara Minnax and put UT up 3-2 with 12:06 left in the match.
In an effort to get more attackers on the field, Staley pulled Rogers in favor of Morrill with 2:16 left in the match; however the Crimson Tide was not able to take advantage as the time expired.
The Tide returns to action next weekend as it continues SEC action when the team hosts Ole Miss and Mississippi State.
Team Stats
Cally Morrill (6)
Assisted By: Katie Holtzapfel
shot off rebound
21:33
Kristin McGrath (1)
Assisted By: Kim Patrick
rebound and shot
28:56
Dawn Nash (10)
breakaway
59:34
Kayla Lockaby (6)
Assisted By: Tara Minnax
shot right side 18 yds out
66:03
Kim Patrick (8)
Assisted By: Tara Minnax , Rhian Wilkinson
cross to front
77:54
