Alabama Soccer Set to Play in New Mexico Nike Classic
9/1/2005 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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Coming off the heels of a 4-1 win at Tulane last Friday night the Alabama soccer team will travel to Albuquerque, N.M this weekend to participate in the Nike Classic hosted by the University of New Mexico. Alabama (1-0-0) will open tournament action Friday against the New Mexico Lobos at 8 p.m. and play Akron Sunday at noon.
"I feel like we played well last weekend," Alabama head coach Don Staley said. "Unfortunately, we feel as though our job wasn't completed. We look forward to getting back out on the road and playing against two good teams this weekend."
Last Sunday the Crimson Tide's second game at the Tulane Invitational was cancelled due to Hurricane Katrina.
This will be Alabama's first trip to play in Albuquerque. The only other meeting between Alabama and UNM came in 2000, a 1-0 win for the Lobos in Tuscaloosa. This will also be the first meeting between Alabama and Akron.
Last week Alabama received more than enough offensive production from its front line and hopes to get more of the same this weekend. Senior forwards Libby Probst and Kylie Boyd each contributed with goals. Probst recorded her first career Hat Trick in the season-opener and is the reigning Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
Defensively, Staley has been impressed with the play of freshmen goalkeepers Kara Gudmens and Karen Lansden as well as retuning defenders Chelsea Stang, Emily Pitek and Leigh Alexander.
Friday's game with New Mexico will be the second meeting between the two schools and first since the Lobos defeated Alabama 1-0 in Tuscaloosa in 2000.
Akron (1-0-1) will be playing on the road for the first time this season after posting a 1-7 road record in 2004. The Zips have struggled offensively this season, scoring just one goal through its first two games. Akron's defense however, has been its strength. The Zips have held each of its first two opponents scoreless.
Fans can follow the action all weekend with live stats available at www.rolltide.com.
