Alabama
5-7 (1-3)
Vanderbilt
3-5-2 (2-0-1)
Vandy's Mitchell Scores Overtime Goal to Beat Alabama
10/3/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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For the second time in three days the Alabama (5-7, 1-3) soccer team lost on a late goal. This time the defeat came at the hands of the Vanderbilt Commodores (3-5-2, 2-0-1), 1-0 in overtime.
The golden goal came off the foot of Vanderbilt's Lauren Mitchell 6:35 seconds into overtime. She took a throw-in from teammate Lea Lafield, dribbled to her left and fired a rocket past Alabama goal-keeper Laura Lowman from 30 yards out to get the win.
The Tide falls to 1-2 in overtime this year while the Commodores remain unbeaten and improve to 2-0-2 in extra periods. The game was Alabama's third overtime game on the season. It was Vanderbilt's fourth overtime game and second in three days.
It was one of the most evenly played matches the Tide has been involved in this season. At the end of regulation, the two teams were even in almost every statistical category. Vanderbilt ended the game with a one shot advantage, 12 to 11, and goal-keeper Tyler Griffin made five saves to Lowman's three. After losing the corner kick battle to Kentucky by 10 on Friday night, Alabama had two more corner kicks on Sunday than did its opponents.
Late in the game, it appeared as though Alabama would be able to overcome what has turned into its achilles' heel this season, allowing late goals. But despite good defense in overtime, Vanderbilt's Mitchell made an excellent shot to beat the Tide late once again.
Of Alabama's seven defeats this season, five have now come on goals within the game's final two minutes or in overtime.
The game's two halves were nearly identical. In the first half there were nine combined shots, five for Vanderbilt and four for Alabama. There wasn't a shot in the game for nearly 15:00 of play and the Tide didn't pick up a shot until the 19:25 mark of the opening half. The second half was much of the same. At the end of regulation the Tide held a one shot advantage over the Commodores, 11 to 10, and had four shots-on-goal to Vanderbilt's three.
Alabama entered the weekend as the Southeastern Conference's highest scoring team, however it has struggled to score goals as of late. In four conference games this season, Alabama has yet to score a first half goal and has been shutout in three of those four games.
Alabama will return to action Friday night and look to rebound when it takes on Ole Miss at the Alabama Soccer Stadium. The game will be televised by FOX Sports Net and will kick-off at 6:30 p.m.
Team Stats
Lauren Mitchell
30 yards out
96:26
