Alabama
6-2-2, 0-1-2
Vanderbilt
10-1-0, 3-0-0
Alabama Drops SEC Match to No. 19 Vanderbilt, 1-0
10/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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Alabama (6-3-2, 0-2-2) soccer fell 1-0 Sunday afternoon to No. 19 Vanderbilt at the UA Soccer Complex.
The Commodores (11-1-0, 4-0-0 SEC) converted on their best attack of the day at 66:56 to score the game's only goal. Sarah Dennis cleaned up a rebound off the post, then fired a shot from just left of the net that crossed in front of Alabama goalkeeper Kara Gudmens and into the right side of the net. Vanderbilt's defense did the rest.
"They are a good team and they capitalized on our mistakes today," Alabama head coach Don Staley said. "From our mistakes standpoint, I think we'll get better. I was very pleased with our goalkeeping."
Alabama's goalkeepers faced 20 shots on the afternoon, made four saves and allowed just one goal. Karen Lansden played the games first 45:00 and Kara Gudmens played most of the second half before being pulled late in the game to give Alabama an extra man advantage. Defensively, Staley was pleased, especially with the play of freshman Cara Kelly.
"Cara Kelly had another outstanding game," Staley said.
In the opening half the Tide played stride-for-stride with Vanderbilt. Alabama only allowed Vanderbilt one good look at the net in the first 45:00 and Lansden was there to make the save. The second half however, was a different story. The Commodores out-shot Alabama 12-2 in the second half as the Tide began to show the effects of its double-overtime game with Kentucky Friday night. Alabama ended the contest with just two shots-on-goal, both coming in the first half.
Alabama's Libby Probst did narrowly miss tying the game as the clock wound down. Probst gained control of the ball after a series of headers, juked around a Vanderbilt defender and launched a shot that rose just above the net.
Sunday's game marks just the second time this season that Alabama has been shut-out. The first came last Sunday at South Carolina.
Alabama will try to rebound next weekend as it hits the road for a pair of games in the state of Mississippi. The Tide will take on Ole Miss Friday night in Oxford, Miss. and then battle rival Mississippi State Sunday in Starkville.
Team Stats
Sarah Dennis
Assisted By: Lauren Mitchell
off rebound from post
66:56
