Soccer Makes Final Home Stand Before SEC Play Begins
9/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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Alabama soccer will host its final pair of non-conference opponents this weekend at the Alabama Soccer Complex as Nicholls State visits Friday at 7 p.m. and Mercer comes calling Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Crimson Tide (4-1-0) is off to its best start since 2002 and cracked the Soccer Buzz Southeast Regional rankings this week for the first time this season at No. 15. Alabama joins SEC counterparts Florida (No. 2), Georgia (No. 6) and South Carolina (No. 11) in the regional rankings.
“I’m pleased that the voters have noticed what we’ve done so far this season,” Alabama head coach Don Staley said, “but we still have a lot of work to do and hopefully we have many more things to accomplish this season.”
Alabama’s Libby Probst continued her assault on the Tide’s record books last week and will look to do so again Friday. Probst added three goals, one assist and seven points to her tally, moving her up to third all-time in goals, fourth in points and seventh in assists.
The scoring didn’t stop with Probst however. All three of Alabama’s forwards contributed in the scoring effort last weekend. In addition to Probst’s seven points, Jordan O’Banion picked up three assists while Kylie Boyd collected her second goal of the season. Alabama’s starting front line has combined for 22 points this season helping to make the Tide the No. 2 ranked offense in the SEC entering this weekend’s action. Alabama has outscored its opponents 16-4 through five matches.
But it hasn’t been all about offense for Alabama. The combination of freshmen goalkeepers Karen Lansden and Kara Gudmens has worked well for Staley’s squad. The Tide currently sits in the top three of the SEC in goals allowed, saves and shutouts.
Alabama’s two opponents this weekend won’t be familiar in the least. Alabama has never squared off against Nicholls State (2-2-0) and the Tide hasn’t played Mercer (3-4-0) since beating the Bears twice in 1988.
Nicholls State will be playing on the road for the first time this season Friday night. The Colonels are coming off a loss to Grambling State on Monday.
Last Friday, the Tide played in front of the fifth largest crowd ever at the Alabama Soccer Complex. Staley encourages fans to come out again this weekend and help establish a new record. For those unable to attend, all the play-by-play action can be heard on WVUA-radio 90.7.
