Alabama
1-2
Memphis
2-1
Alabama Soccer Downs Memphis 2-0
9/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Alabama’s Jessie Deegan scored at the 30:58 mark of the opening half and the Crimson Tide used stellar defense the rest of the way to earn a 2-0 win Saturday night over regionally ranked Memphis in the opening round of the Lady Tiger Nike Classic.
Deegan put Alabama up 1-0 when she received a pass from Susie Beard, gathered the ball on the left wing, turned and fired a shot from 15 yards out that crossed from left to right over Memphis goalkeeper Isabel Briones’ head and into the net. The goal was Deegan’s third career goal and first of the season.
UA’s Natalie Kohn then iced the win with her first goal of the season as time expired.
“This was a total team effort tonight that started with our assistant coaches’ preparation,” Alabama head coach Don Staley said.
After getting off to a slow start last weekend, the Alabama of old showed up Saturday night and won with grit and determination.
“We challenged the girls this week about playing like the Alabama of old,” Staley said. “This wasn’t filled with artistry tonight, but this was just good old-fashioned grind ??em out soccer game and it was effective. We are a team that is decimated with injuries but we’re beginning to find our way and come together.”
Alabama’s defense, led by Hayley MacDonald, Emily Pitek and Colleen Posey, shut down reigning C-USA Player of the Year Shoko Mikami and turned away a number of Memphis scoring opportunities. The Tigers outshot Alabama 21-7 on the night, but UA’s defense was the story of the game as it pitched its first shutout of the season.
Sophomore goalkeeper Kara Gudmens made four saves on the night, her biggest coming in the 64:00 minute when she stopped an open shot from the foot of Eliza Wellford.
Memphis’ best scoring chance came in the 61:00 minute when Kylie Hayes bounced a host off the right post and Mikami nearly snuck a header inside the left post, but freshman Ashley Scheidt was there to clear the ball and preserve the lead.
“Hayley MacDonald and Emily Pitek did a marvelous job shutting down Mikami,” Staley said. “But not to be outdone, when Memphis brought Geneil Newbern in off the bench in the second half, Colleen Posey had her hands full and she did an outstanding job.”
All night, whenever Memphis appeared to be in position to get on the board, Alabama’s defense continued to turn the Tigers away. Only once did Posey allow a Memphis forward to slip behind her on the night and Natalie Kohn was in position to block a shot from Nikki McLeod.
Memphis mounted one final attack in the closing seconds. However, just as it did all night, Alabama’s defense kept the ball from reaching the back of the net. UA was able to catch the Tigers in a counter-attack as the clock wound down for the game’s final goal.
“This was a very good team we played tonight and we dodged several bullets,” Staley said. “When people see the final score, it won’t indicate what type of game this was. They counter-attacked late and we were able to get the goal simply because we had numbers. I respect a coach that does that and goes after the win.”
Alabama will look to even its record Monday at 11 a.m. when it takes on Arkansas State.
Team Stats
Jessica Deegan (1)
Assisted By: Susie Beard
shot over goalkeeper from top of box
30:58
Natalie Kohn
shot on breakaway
90:00
