Alabama
2-0-0
New Mexico
0-1-1
Alabama Soccer Wins on Road Over New Mexico, 1-0
9/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The Alabama soccer team improved to 2-0 Friday night with a 1-0 win over the New Mexico Lobos.
Allison DeLisle scored the game-winning goal at 29:30. The goal came off a header five yards out off a free kick from Hayley MacDonald. It was DeLisle’s first goal of the season and MacDonald’s second assist.
In the second half, the Crimson Tide’s defense held strong and preserved the win, overcoming its struggles from a year ago of maintaining a lead late in the game.
“This environment and game situation was exactly the type of pressure this team needed to prepare for future matches,” Alabama head coach Don Staley said. “I’m proud of the way this team handled adversity, especially after seeing one of its leaders go down, and weathered the constant pressure applied by New Mexico.”
Tide defender Emily Pitek left the game late in the first half with an injury and will be further evaluated upon return to Tuscaloosa.
Alabama came out of the gates quickly in the second half and used offensive pressure to keep the Lobos off the offensive attack. The Tide managed two corner kicks and three shots in the first 12 minutes of the second half. Alabama had nine corners in the game to UNM’s three. Both Libby Probst and Jessie Deegan narrowly missed giving Alabama some insurance off corners, but were denied by UNM keeper Kristen Winters.
UNM out-shot Alabama 22-15 in the game, but for the second game in a row Alabama’s freshmen tandem at goalkeeper provided a solid line of defense.
“Once again I’m pleased with our freshmen goalkeepers and I’m encouraged by their development,” Staley said. “Both were tested tonight by New Mexico’s potent offense.”
Karen Lansden made six saves in the first half to earn the win in her first collegiate start. Kara Gudmen played the final 45:00 and closed the deal.
The Tide presented itself with several scoring chances in the first half as well. Probst nearly put Alabama on the board early in a one-on-one break away, but Winters stole the ball off Probst’s foot. Later, with 3:00 remaining in the half Kylie Boyd backed Winters into the net but was denied.
Alabama will return to action Sunday at the Nike Classic against Akron at noon. The Zips lost Friday night to Eastern Washington, 2-0.
Team Stats
Allison DeLisle (1)
Assisted By: Hayley MacDonald
header off free kick, 10 yds in middle
29:30
