Alabama
LSU
Crimson Tide falls to No. 19 LSU on a Penalty Kick, 2-1
10/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
TUSCALOOSA ?? The University of Alabama soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to No. 19 LSU Sunday afternoon at the UA Soccer Complex. The Crimson Tide fell to 9-5-1 and 2-3-1 in the Southeastern Conference, but remains in the hunt to make the SEC tournament.
"LSU is one of the most talented teams in this league and the nation, I never like to lose but you can accept it when the team gives you everything they have and our team did today," head coach Don Staley said. "I could be more proud of a team than I am right now with our team because of the effort and energy they put fourth today."
The game was just what was expected with the SEC's top two scoring offenses took the field for the first 15 minutes.
LSU (9-2-4, 3-1-2 SEC) started the scoring just 4:09 into the game when the SEC's leading scored Rachel Yepez scored her 10th goal of the season.
The Tide struck back quickly in the 12th minute on junior Danielle Bernier's second goal of the season. Freshman Victoria Frederick served a corner kick into the box to senior Jordan O'Banion who headed it perfectly to the chest of Bernier. She played the ball off her chest to the ground and was able to one-touch the ball into the back of the net.
LSU re-took the lead less than two minutes later as Malorie Rutledge was able to convert a penalty kick for her fourth goal of the season.
For the next 70 minutes the SEC's two most explosive offenses were held scoreless. Alabama goalkeeper Justine Bernier recorded 11 saves in the game to extend her SEC lead to 105 on the season. The Alabama record for saves in a season is 142 set in 1998 by Rachel Brown.
"We should have had a few more opportunities in the second half but we had some mental breakdowns that cost us," Staley added.
In what was an extremely physical game, both team had their opportunities to score with LSU taking 16 shots and Alabama taking 13. Alabama was called for 17 fouls and one yellow card and LSU was called for 12 fouls.
The Crimson Tide will hit the road next weekend on their longest SEC trip of the season. Alabama will play at No. 28 South Carolina on Friday evening in Columbia, SC and at perennial SEC power Florida in Gainesville on Sunday afternoon.
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