Alabama Looks to Rebound as New Stadium is Dedicated
9/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
 |
|
After two losses last weekend Alabama (2-2) soccer returns home and will look to rebound this Friday night as it battles Troy University (1-2-1) at 7:10 p.m.
Alabama allowed late goals in each of its two games at the JMU/Comfort Inn Invitational to lose. Head coach Don Staley feels that his team must pick up the intensity on defense if it wants to get back on the winning side.
“We have to improve our defensive intensity,” Staley said. “We have to have someone emerge on defense as a field general and be ready to play inspired soccer from the opening whistle.”
Last week junior Libby Probst emerged as that kind of leader on the offensive attack for Alabama. Probst scored two of the Tide’s three goals over the weekend and had a hand in the third. Probst was taken down from behind by an American defender while on a break-away and earned a penalty kick. Senior Rebecca Baker took the kick and tied the game 2-2 in the second half.
Troy is coming off of its first win of the season on Monday, a 5-1 victory over Grambling. The Trojans fell behind 1-0 before scoring five unanswered goals to earn the victory.
Friday night’s game will be a special one for the Alabama players and head coach Don Staley. In his 11th season at the Capstone, Staley’s team finally has a stadium to call home. Prior to the game will be dedication ceremonies for the new soccer stadium. Tom Roberts will emcee the ceremony and Director of Athletics Mal Moore will dedicate the stadium. Festivities will begin at 6:50 p.m.
Alabama is already 1-0 in its new home. On August 27 the Tide defeated Alabama A&M 3-0 in the first game at the new soccer stadium.
