Alabama
0-1-0
Denver
1-0-0
Alabama Soccer Drops Season Opener to Denver
8/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ?? The University of Alabama soccer (0-1-0) team lost its season opener Friday night to the Denver Pioneers 4-0 in the Commodore Classic.
Denver scored twice in a five minute span mid-way through the first half and used an aggressive attack the rest of the way to keep the Crimson Tide off the scoreboard.
"I'm extremely disappointed in tonight's result," Alabama head coach Don Staley said. "We matched up against a team that capitalized on our mistakes. We had defensive problems and were inept on offense."
Denver got on the board at the 24:07 mark when Taryn Hemmings connected with a sliding Jenna Billingsly on a cross inside the six-yard box. Billingsly then directed the ball to left of Tide goalkeeper Kara Gudmens for the 1-0 lead.
Minutes later at 29:07, Denver was presented with another scoring opportunity when Hemmings was taken down inside the box by Hayley MacDonald and awarded a penalty kick. Jessica Keller took the kick and beat Gudmens high on the right side.
Denver quickly added another goal after the half to stretch the lead to 3-0. This time Hemmings found the back of the net on a break-away from the right wing. Lleane Grimditch rounded out the scoring for Denver at 86:46.
"We have to work on getting back to playing how Alabama teams have always played," Staley said. "This game was not over when we fell behind, but we cannot roll over. We have to continue to fight."
Alabama's defense struggled to shut down Hemmings all day. She finished the game with 3 points and 5 shots and contributed to three of Denver's goals.
Offensively, Jamie Zimmerman led the Alabama attack with 2 shots. Zimmerman, playing her first game with the Tide since transferring from Richmond, created several quality looks at the net, but missed high on each shot.
Perhaps Alabama's best scoring opportunity came with 5:00 remaining in the game. Freshman Kelsey King gathered a loose ball inside the six-yard box and was able to sneak behind the Denver goalkeeper. However, King's shot missed just wide of the open net.
Alabama attempted to take an early 1-0 lead in the game when Susie Beard and freshman Ashley Scheidt worked to create a free kick just outside the 18-yard line. O'Banion took the free kick and fired just high of the crossbar.
Alabama will conclude play in the Commodore Classic Sunday at noon when it takes to the pitch to face Colorado. Fans can catch the action on New Rock 90.7 FM in Tuscaloosa and on the web at www.allinbroadcasting.com. Live stats will also be available at www.rolltide.com
Team Stats
Billingsly, Jenna (1)
Assisted By: Hemmings, Taryn
cross from Hemmings
24:11
Keller, Jessica
DU Keller, Jessica PENALTY KICK GOAL.
29:28
Hemmings, Taryn (1)
Assisted By: Grimditch, Lleane
break away goal
47:10
Grimditch, Lleane (1)
GOAL by DU Grimditch, Lleane, goal number 1 for season.
86:54
