Crimson Tide Soccer Drops Match to No. 24 Florida

Sunday, September 24

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:00 p.m.

Alabama

4-6-0

Florida

6-3-1

Alabama

Crimson Tide Soccer Drops Match to No. 24 Florida

9/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

TUSCALOOSA- No. 24 Florida scored four times in the first half Sunday afternoon en route to a 4-1 win over Alabama (4-6, 0-2) at the UA Soccer Stadium.

Ameera Abdullah scored just 1:46 into the game on a one-timer off a cross from Angela Napolitano from the right corner to give the Gators the early lead. Stacey Bishop, Daniela Sanchez and Bianca Gibbs would all add goals for the Gators in the first half.

“You have to hand it to Florida today,” Alabama head coach Don Staley said. “They are a very talented team and they capitalized on our mistakes. This may be the best Florida team since they won the 1998 National Championship.”

Florida (6-3-1, 2-0) controlled the pace of the game for most of the way. The Gators outshot Alabama 18-6.

The Tide’s Natalie Kohn recorded her second goal of the season at 62:23 to get Alabama on the board and spoil the Gators’ shutout bid. Kohn took possession of the ball near midfield and dribbled into an open space before lofting a shot from 40 yards out that fell into the net over Florida goalkeeper Brittni Goodwin’s head. The goal was Kohn’s second in the last three SEC games dating back to last season.

Florida’s second goal of the game was a mere reflection of Abdullah’s early goal. At 13:22, Bishop redirected a cross from Liz Ruberry inside the left post for a 2-0 lead. Four minutes later Sanchez extended Florida’s lead to 3-0 when she gathered a pass from Bishop just inside the 18-yard line and found the top right corner.

Gibbs would give the Gators a 4-0 lead heading into the half when she punched one in from eight yards out at 34:58.

Florida’s four goals Sunday is the most Alabama has surrendered to the Gators since 2003. 

Alabama finishes its first homestand of the season at 2-2 and will hit the road next weekend for its first SEC road trip as it travels to play Vanderbilt and Kentucky.