Tide Soccer to Play in Tournament in Memphis This Weekend
8/31/2006 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
TUSCALOOSA ?? The University of Alabama soccer team will continue its six-game season-opening road swing this weekend in Memphis, Tennessee as the Crimson Tide participates in the Lady Tigers Fall Tournament.
Alabama (0-2-0) will open the tournament with host Memphis Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and will conclude play Monday at 11 a.m. against Arkansas State. Fans can keep track of all the action on www.rolltide.com via live stats.
The Tide, battling injuries and playing with limited numbers early in the season, will look to get in the win column after struggling last weekend at the Commodore Classic in Nashville. Alabama dropped a pair of 4-0 decisions to Denver and Colorado. The season-opening loss to Denver ended Alabama's seven-game winning streak in season openers, dating back to 1998. However, head coach Don Staley feels he learned a lot about where his team is and what it will need to do this season to be successful.
"We've taken inventory of our team and we know where we stand," Alabama head coach Don Staley said. "Our assistants have really done a good job this week of running inspired, teaching oriented practices that have helped us address the areas that we need to improve upon and we fully expect to see increased intensity and performance this weekend."
Offensively, Staley knows his team has the potential to score goals, but it must find its rhythm this weekend. Alabama led the SEC in 2005 in points, goals and assists. However, the Tide's top returning goal-scoring threats, Jordan O'Banion and Susie Beard, were held scoreless at the Commodore Classic and only managed three shots combined in the tournament. Last season the duo combined for nine goals and 25 points.
"First of all, we have to create more looks at the goal," Staley said. "From there we have to capitalize on our opportunities and be more precise through the run of play."
"Our defense must improve as well and that's another key aspect that will help increase our scoring chances," Staley said.
Alabama faced a pair of opponents last weekend that featured dynamic scoring threats. The Tide's defense will be tested again in Saturday's contest against Memphis. The Tigers have scored 15 goals through its first two games, led by C-USA Offensive Player of the Week Shoko Mikami and Kylie Haynes. Mikami and Haynes combined for 11 of the Tigers 15 goals against Tennessee Tech and UT-Martin. Saturday's meeting will be the first contest between Alabama and Memphis.
"Memphis is off to a fast start," Staley said. "They're loaded with the C-USA Player of the Year in Mikami and are a very formidable opponent. We've played them in the past in spring games so we know they are a quality team."
Monday Alabama will take on Arkansas State. The two teams have met twice in the past with Alabama winning both previous match-ups.
Alabama Notes
?? Sophomore goalkeeper Kara Gudmens made 14 saves during last weekend's action at the Commodore Classic and moved into sixth-place all-time at Alabama in career saves with 80. She is now 20 saves shy of becoming the sixth keeper in Alabama history with 100 career saves. Amy Pseja (1994-96) holds the current record with 301 career saves.
?? Four Alabama players saw their first collegiate action last weekend. Sophomore transfer Jamie Zimmerman and freshman Ashley Scheidt each started both games while Brittni Lally and Kelsey King saw time off the bench. Lally saw action in the field and in the nets in both Friday's and Saturday's games as well.
?? Senior Gillian Kilburn ended the 2005 campaign 10th in career assists at Alabama with 11 and was a major reason the Tide set a school record for team assists in a single season a year ago. With one season left at the Capstone, she'll look to climb further up the all-time list this season and become the third different record-holder in as many years.
