Alabama Soccer Falls to Colorado

Sunday, August 27

Nashville, Tenn.

1:00 p.m

Alabama

0-2-0

Colorado

1-0-1

Colorado

Alabama

Alabama Soccer Falls to Colorado

8/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. ?? The Alabama soccer team lost on the second day of action Sunday at the Commodore Classic to the Colorado Buffaloes, 4-0.

Colorado’s Michelle Wenio scored two first half goals to help lift the Buffs past the Crimson Tide. 

“When you look at the history of Alabama soccer,” Alabama head coach Don Staley said, “you don’t see too many back-to-back blowouts. This is difficult to swallow, but the reality of the score indicates that we have a lot of work to do to be competitive the rest of the year. That includes changing formations and shuffling personnel.”

Wenio’s first goal came just 4:20 into the game when she collected a loose ball in front of the Alabama net after Tide goalkeeper Kara Gudmens failed to reel in a cross. Wenio fired a shot from 10 yards out on the right side into an empty net for the early 1-0 lead.

Wenio would add her second goal of the day at the 24:37 mark when she received another cross from Alex Cousins on the right side of the box and found the back of the net. Alabama was never able to recover from the first half deficit.

For much of the game, Colorado dictated the pace of play. Alabama was outshot in the game 30-7 and only managed five shots-on-goal. When the Tide was able to mount an attack, Colorado’s defenders were there to stymie the attack.

Colorado’s Kara Linder played a big role in keeping the Tide off the board. Linder made five saves in the game and turned away Alabama’s best look at the net late in the first half. Tide freshman Kelsey King chased down a ball deep in the Colorado zone and fed a cross to a wide open Gillian Kilburn, whose shot was stopped by Linder.

“We had opportunities today to be in this game,” Staley said. “Ultimately we didn’t capitalize. We are going to have to find a way to cash in on our chances. If we aren’t able to make our own breaks, then we are going to have to do a better defensively with our tight defending and organization.”

Colorado added a pair of goals in the second half to stretch the score to 4-0. Cousins, who assisted on the Buffs’ first two goals, scored a goal of her own at 51:36. Moments later Nikki Keller scored for Colorado at 53:03.

“We’ll go home and have a good week of practice and get ready for redemption next weekend in Memphis,” Staley said.

Next weekend Alabama will continue its season-opening six-game road swing when it travels to Memphis, Tennessee to play in the University of Memphis Tournament. The Tide will play Memphis Friday at 7 p.m. and Arkansas State Sunday.