Alabama
1-0
Alabama A&M
0-1
Soccer Opens Season With 3-0 Win Over Alabama A&M
8/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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The University of Alabama (1-0) soccer team opened the 2004 season and christened its new stadium with a 3-0 victory over the Alabama A&M Bulldogs (0-1).
The Crimson Tide was led by freshman Jordan O'Banion, who scored 2 goals in her debut, and senior Katie French. The Tide also saw a youth movement of sorts as three freshmen earned starts in their debut and two others, Rayme Hubbard and Natalie Kohn, earned significant playing time.
"It's fair to say we have a youth movement going on that is going to pay off down the road," said Staley, "but we had a nice blend tonight between young and old."
O'Banion put Alabama up early when she went on the attack and snuck behind Alabama A&M defenders. Libby Probst then lobed the ball over the Bulldog defense and then French found a streaking O'Banion for the 1-0 lead at the 18:07 mark in the opening half.
However, Alabama's first goal in its new home was also followed by another first, a weather delay. Lightening forced the teams into the locker room for over 30 minutes.
But when the teams returned to the field following the delay, Alabama picked up where it left off. O'Banion continued the scoring for the Tide when she picked up a loose ball in front of the net and beat the Bulldogs' goalkeeper Priscilla Mensah to put Alabama ahead 2-0.
"It was nice to play someone other than ourselves to break up the monotony," said Staley.
But Alabama's night wasn't all offense. Laura Lowman and the Tide defense played an excellent defensive game. Alabama's defenders were able to keep the ball in the Bulldogs zone for nearly the entire game and Alabama A&M was held without a shot all night.
"I think we sputtered a little bit tonight and we could have played with a little more fluidity," said Staley after the game. "But we saw some nice execution and it will all start together as we get deeper into the season. This is a dress rehearsal for SEC play."
Friday night's opener also saw several Alabama seniors move their way up in the record books. Lowman pitched her 10 career shutout, which now ties her for second all-time in Alabama history. French found success as well in her final home opener. She picked up an assist on O'Banion's early goal, then added goal of her own in the second half to make the score 3-0. French now holds sole possession of third place on the Tide's all-time points list with 60 and is tied for second place in assists with 14. French's 23 career goal now moves her to within seven of setting Alabama's all-time goals mark.
A crowd of 1,107 packed the new Alabama Soccer Stadium, despite the weather delay, as it opened its gates for the first time. The crowd on hand to witness the victory was the second largest in the program's history.
"We have a first class house right here and we're proud of the Tuscaloosa community for coming out and supporting us tonight. I hope we have more fans for each game," said Staley.
Alabama will continue it's opening weekend Sunday afternoon as it travels to Birmingham to play Birmingham-Southern at 4 p.m.
Team Stats
Jordan O'Banion (1)
Assisted By: Libby Probst , Katie French
beat goalie open net
18:07
Jordan O'Banion (2)
Assisted By: Suzanne Baker
cross shot and finish
30:12
Katie French (1)
Assisted By: Allison DeLisle , Gillian Kilburn
chip shot in left side of box
76:45
