Tide Concludes Spring Season With Win Over Mississippi State
5/16/2002 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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The 2002 spring season ended in fine fashion for the University of Alabama women’s soccer team as the Tide defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 2-0 in the 2002 Orange Beach Classic.
It was the second time in as many weekends Alabama defeated Mississippi State, as the Crimson Tide beat the Bulldogs in the championship game of the Ole Miss Spring Invitational a week earlier.
Dawn Nash got things going for Alabama scoring the game-winner in the 32nd minute. The Tide had four more scoring opportunities before Courtney McCotter added an insurance goal from 30 yards out just before halftime.
“We played a very good first half,” said Alabama Head Coach Don Staley. “We came out and played clean, crisp soccer. Mississippi State played well in the second half but I think our style of play got to them and started to frustrate them.”
Mississippi State came out in the second half and changed their system a bit adding more people up front, but the Tide defensive unit of Missy Keller, Jiselle Decker and Caroline Bolz proved too much for the Bulldogs.
“It was a great weekend,” said Staley. “Not just the game, but the whole situation. As usual the people of Orange Beach and everybody affiliated with this event were first class. With regards to the hospitality and facilities I really believe that the 2003 SEC Tournament will be nothing short of a success down here.”
Alabama wrapped up its spring season with a 13-2-6 record, the best spring season in the program’s history.
“This was our best spring ever,” said Staley. “I really feel this will give us something to build on going into the fall.”
The Tide will open the 2002 season in New Orleans, Louisiana against the Tulane Green Wave on August 30.
