Alabama Soccer Allows Late Goal to Lose 3-2

Monday, September 6

Harrisonburg, Va.

10:00 a.m

Alabama

2-2

American

2-1

AMER

Alabama

Alabama Soccer Allows Late Goal to Lose 3-2

9/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Monday, September 06, 2004

Rebecca Baker

» Box Score

Harrisonburg, VA -- For the second time in three days the University of Alabama soccer team (2-2) allowed a late goal to drop a decision in the James Madison/Comfort Inn Invitational, this time to American University (2-1), 3-2.

With the score tied at 2-2 in the 90:00 minute, American's Marcela Ricupero scored her second goal of the game when she knocked a header over Alabama goal keeper Laura Lowman for the game-winning goal. The goal came off of a free kick from above the box by Lena Winkler, who picked up the assist.

"I'm extremely disappointed in this loss and in our defensive decision making," said Alabama head coach Don Staley. "We were out-played, out-worked in the first half and it took us entirely too long to wake up in the second and get our heads into the game."

Alabama fell behind early in the first half and trailed at halftime 2-0. But the Crimson Tide came out in the second half and played with increased enthusiasm and urgency and fought its way back into the game.

Off a free kick at 57:44, Chelsa Stang lobbed the ball high into the right side of the box where Libby Probst redirected it with a header past American goal keeper Alison Doyle to get the Tide on the board and cut American's lead to 2-1. The goal for Probst was her second goal in as many games.

Alabama continued to put offensive pressure on American following the goal and after several wide shots the Tide finally got an opportunity to pull even when Libby Probst was taken down in the box and a penalty shot was called. Senior captain Rebecca Baker took the penalty shot for Alabama and found the back of the net to tie the game at 2-2.

In the game Alabama doubled-up American in total shots, most of which came in the second half. The two halves were nearly opposites of each other. American found themselves on the attack most of the first half and Alabama collected the majority of its scoring chances and all its goals in the second half. However, Alabama was not able find the open look it needed to take the lead.

American opened up the scoring in the first half when Winkler fired a shot from the left side at 10 yards out and found the right side of the net for the 1-0 lead at 25:16. Alabama fell further behind near the end of the first half when Ricupero was left open on the right side of the box and kicked in the loose ball. American led 2-0.

But despite inspired play in the second half by Alabama, the Crimson Tide fell just short of the victory and dropped to .500 on the season at 2-2.

"In order for us to be successful this season," said Staley. "We have to limit our mental errors, have someone emerge on defense as field general and be ready to play inspired soccer from opening whistle."

Following the game, Alabama's Jordan O'Banion and Chelsea Stang were named to the JMU/Comfort Inn All-Tournament team.

Alabama will look to rebound Friday, September 10 and snap its two-game losing streak when the Tide plays host to the Troy Trojans. Prior to Friday night's game there will be a dedication ceremony for Alabama's newly constructed, 1,500 seat soccer stadium. Festivities will begin around 6:50 and the game will kick-off at 7:10.