Alabama Soccer Has Good Start to Spring
2/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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Alabama outscored its three opponents this weekend by a score of 5-1.
“I’m very pleased with our performance this weekend,” Alabama head coach Don Staley said. “This is a positive beginning to our spring and something that we can build off of.”
In game one, Alabama played Memphis to a 1-1 tie. Jordan O’Banion, assisted by Libby Probst, scored the Tide’s lone goal. Despite the tie Staley was impressed with the overall performance of the team in its first game.
“I thought we recognized their pressure and dealt with it effectively,” Staley said.
Game two saw Alabama defeat Middle Tennessee State 2-0. Kylie Boyd and Libby Probst each scored a goal. Probst’s goal came off of a penalty kick.
“Middle Tennessee is a good side and it was a very spirited match,” Staley said. “I thought creatively, our front line of Boyd, Probst and O’Banion caused them to adjust throughout the game.”
Alabama got a refreshing look at a different team in the weekend’s finale against Japan College. The Japanese team attempted to force a possession game upon Alabama, but the Tide handled it well and controlled the game’s tempo. Probst connected with O’Banion in the first half to put Alabama ahead 1-0. Then Gillian Kilburn, assisted by Boyd, made it 2-0 in the second half with a goal.
“We accomplished a lot of things this weekend that I wanted us to,” Staley said. “We excelled in on-field communication and did a great job handling new formations as well as a possession style attack.”
Alabama’s next game this spring will be on March 12 in Tuscaloosa against Samford. The game will start at 7 p.m.
