Alabama
3-2
Troy St.
1-3
Alabama Soccer Dedicates Stadium and Dominates Troy
9/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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Alabama (3-2) promised to give its fans a show Friday night, as it dedicated its new soccer stadium in front of a crowd of 854, and it did just that. The Crimson Tide routed the Troy Trojans (1-3) 5-0.
The Tide scored four first half goals and amassed 33 shots, 15 on goal, to blow things open early en route to the victory.
Shortly after Athletics Director Mal Moore cut the ribbon at mid-field in a ceremony prior to the game, Alabama's offense kicked it into high gear. Thirteen minutes into the game Sophomore Gillian Kilburn rebounded Libby Probst's shot off the cross-bar and stuck it past Troy goal-keeper Laura Longard for the 1-0 lead. Alabama never looked back.
"The dedication was fantastic tonight and we had a good crowd and nice support," Alabama head coach Don Staley said. "We really appreciate that and I'm glad we played well."
The flury of shots from Alabama continued after the game's opening goal and15 minutes after Probst bounced one off the cross-bar she found the back of the net herself for a 2-0 lead. It was Probst's third goal in as many games. From there, the rout was on.
Alabama closed the first half with two more goals in the final ten minutes to push the score to 4-0 at halftime.
"We finally got into a rhythm near the end of the first half and took advantage of our opportunities," Staley said. "We just did what we had to do and I like that."
Senior Katie French moved closer to setting Alabama's all-time goal-scoring mark tonight when, just one minute into the second half, she scored on a penalty kick to make Alabama's lead 5-0. The goal was French's 24th career goal and she now needs just six goals to set the all-time mark.
Jordan O'Banion continued her early season success as well. Late in the first half, the freshman from Indiana scored her fifth goal on the year. She has now scored a goal in three of Alabama's five games this season.
While tonight was the night Alabama officially dedicated its new stadium, it wasn't the first game to be played in the newly constructed Alabama Soccer Stadium. The Tide is now 2-0 at home this year and is warming up nicely to its new digs. Staley's squad played 154:00 at home before finally allowing a shot. Troy's Emily Cobb picked up a shot mid-way through the second half and is the only opposing player to have a shot on Alabama's turf.
"I think we improved on some things tonight and we are learning how good we can be when the SEC schedule begins, but we are on a learning curve," Staley said.
Alabama will return to action Sunday afternoon when it takes on the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
PHOTO GALLERY
A bird's eye view of the new soccer stadium.
(Photo by Dusty Compton)
Coach Don Staley addresses the crowd.
(Photo by Kent Gidley)
Cutting the ribbon as the new stadium is dedicated.
(Photo by Kent Gidley)
Coach Mal Moore talks to the fans in attendance.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Rayme Hubbard prepares to kick.
(Photo by Dusty Compton)
Suzanne Baker goes up for a header.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Allison DeLisle battles for ball control.
(Photo by Michelle Lepianka)
A Crimson Tide shot finds the goal.
(Photo by Kent Gidley)
Team Stats
Gillian Kilburn (1)
header rebound off Probst's shot that h
13:23
Kylie Boyd (2)
Assisted By: Libby Probst
off free kick in box
28:34
Jordan O'Banion (5)
rebound off shot, deflected by Troy in
36:07
Allison DeLisle (1)
one timer from 15 yards
41:56
Katie French
46:00
