Soccer to Battle Gators, Gamecocks on the Road
9/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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The Alabama soccer team will look to extend its three-match winning streak this weekend as it begins Southeastern Conference play on the road against No. 13 Florida on Friday and at South Carolina Sunday.
The Crimson Tide (6-1-0), ranked No. 14 in the Southeast, was picked to finish third in the SEC by the coaches in the preseason, but will cruise into Gainesville, FL with its best record since 2002 and boasting the nation's scoring leader, Libby Probst.
Probst ranks second in total points but leads the NCAA in points per game. After her 15-point performance last weekend against Nicholls State, Probst was named Soccer America National Player of the Week.
Alabama and Florida (5-2) will open conference play against each other for the third consecutive season Friday night at 7 p.m. cst. on SUN Sports. The Tide will be looking for its first win over the Gators in what will be the 10th meeting. Last season the two teams met twice, once during the regular season and again in the SEC Tournament. Florida's trip to Tuscaloosa a year ago in the SEC opener resulted in 1-0 win for the Gators on a goal scored at 85:22.
"We anxiously anticipate the opportunity to see where we match up against one of the top teams in the SEC and in the country in Florida," Alabama head coach Don Staley said. "This is a chance for us to gain a little respect from a program that has long been a permanent fixture with the nation's elite programs."
Florida already owns a win this season over No. 16 UConn but has lost to No. 5 Notre Dame and No. 7 Florida State.
Alabama's only loss to this point came to regionally-ranked UAB, but the Tide does have wins on the road at New Mexico and Tulane.
"At first glance our schedule may not have a lot of top 20 opponents, but I believe when you scratch below the surface you will find some significance in our wins. Respect, however, isn't measured with quotes or press conferences. It's achieved by success on the field and we intend to get ours Friday night."
South Carolina comes into to conference play at 4-3 and is ranked No. 11 in the Southeast. The Gamecocks have played four teams currently with regional rankings, Cal State Fullerton, Furman, Clemson and Miami, and posted a 1-3 record. USC defeated Miami last weekend 2-1 in overtime.
Sunday's match at South Carolina is slated for 1 p.m. cst. USC leads the all-time series 4-2 but the Tide won the last meeting 4-1.
"This is great way for us to open up in the SEC against two good opponents in a hostile environment," Staley said. "We know revenge for USC will be on their minds and we look forward to being up to the task. They are a well coached squad."
Fans can follow the action all weekend with live stats at www.rolltide.com.
