Soccer Falls to No. 10 Florida 6-1

Sunday, October 19

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:00 p.m

Alabama

9-6-1, 4-4-0SEC

Florida

13-2-1, 8-0-0SEC

Florida

Alabama

Soccer Falls to No. 10 Florida 6-1

10/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Oct. 19, 2008

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama soccer team suffered a 6-1 loss to the No. 10 ranked Florida Gators Sunday afternoon at the UA Soccer Complex. The Gators used two first half goals and then tacked on four more to earn the Southeastern Conference victory. After the day the Crimson Tide move to 9-6-1 overall and 4-4 in SEC play while the Gators improve to 13-2-1 on the season and 8-0-0 in league play.

"I thought it was an even first half," head coach Todd Bramble said. "They were able to score two goals off five shots so there was no reason to be down because it was an even game at that point. I was pleased with how we came back and made the game 2-1 and gained some momentum."

Megan Kerns led the Gators with a hat-trick and two assists. Kerns scored twice in the first half and then wrapped up the hat-trick with her third in the 72nd minute as the senior had her hand in five of the six goals for Florida. Kerns connected on her first goal in the 23rd minute and then struck again in the 35th minute.

Alabama sophomore Brooke Rogers got the Tide back into the contest in the 55th minute when she buried a header far post off a Jessica Deegan corner to make the score 2-1. The Tide came out of the gates strong in the second half, equaling the shot total of the Gators 11-11 in the period.

Overall Florida out-shot Alabama 16-13. Kerns led the Gators with four shots, putting three on frame. Senior Kailey Corken paced Alabama with three shots. Florida split time in goal with its keepers as Meghan Berlingo stays unbeaten after making one save. Katie Fraine allowed one goal and made two stops in the second half. Alabama junior Kara Gudmens made four saves on the afternoon.

"We had a tough loss last Sunday and were able to come back and beat a very good South Carolina team," Bramble said. "We are staring at a good Tennessee team at their place on Thursday so we will look for the same type of turnaround."

Alabama will play a rare Thursday game under the lights in Knoxville, Tenn. against the Volunteers on Oct. 23 at 6:00 p.m. Alabama closes out its home schedule against Georgia on Sunday, Oct. 26 at 1:00 p.m.