Soccer Caps off Weekend with Sunday Matinee
9/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Sept. 13, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama women's soccer team (2-2-1) will continue its four-match home stand by closing out the weekend with Wright State (4-2-0). The Crimson Tide will host the Raiders on Sunday, September 14 at 1:00 p.m. at the UA Soccer Complex. Alabama is coming off a 1-0 shutout over in-state rival Samford on Friday.
"It is nice to develop a routine at home," head coach Todd Bramble said. "We haven't been able to have that opportunity yet so we are looking to build on our most recent result and head into tomorrow with some momentum. We need to come out tomorrow sharp and focused and hopefully the game will go our way."
Who to Watch: Alabama senior midfielder Jessica Deegan buried her first goal of the 2008 campaign to help hand the Crimson Tide a 1-0 victory over Samford Friday night. Deegan now has four career goals. It marks her first tally since the 2006 campaign. The Centreville, Va. native paces the Crimson Tide with 16 shots and is tied with teammate Victoria Frederick with a game-winning goal.
Last Time Out: Alabama returned to the friendly confines of the UA Soccer Complex after a long California road trip to earn a 1-0 shutout victory over Samford Friday night. Jessica Deegan recorded the game-winner in the 29th minute on a nice cross from sophomore Rosaly Petriello. Junior goalkeeper Kara Gudmens earned her first shutout of the season on the strength of seven saves in the full 90 minutes of action.
Scouting Wright State: The Raiders enter Tuscaloosa with a 4-2 record after dropping an overtime match 1-0 to UAB Friday night. Before the loss to the Blazers the Raiders won four-straight, two of which were on the road. Wright State has played all but two of its matches on the road and has gone 2-2 away from Dayton, Ohio. Leading the way in 2008 for the Raiders is Jess Rooma. The midfielder has tallied 11 points on four goals and three assists. Sara Palermo closely follows with eight points on three goals and two assists. In between the pipes Meghan Hackerson has played every minute for Wright State. Hackerson has allowed nine goals and posted two shutouts while making 19 saves. The Raiders return their top four offensive threats and their sophomore keeper on a team that won a school record 13 matches a year ago. Wright State was picked to finish third in the Horizon League preseason poll.
Alabama vs. Wright State: The Series: Sunday's meeting will mark the first match between the two programs. Alabama has now played three opponents in a row that are not familiar foes. USC, Samford and now Wright State have never played Alabama before this season.
Home Sweet Home: Alabama has started off its 2008 home slate in impressive fashion as it has not allowed an opponent to score in its two home matches. The Crimson Tide opened its home slate with a 3-0 shutout victory over Jacksonville State on Aug. 31. Alabama goalkeepers Kara Gudmens and Karen Lansden combined to blank the Gamecocks. On Friday, Gudmens held in-state rival Samford scoreless with her first shutout of 2008. The Crimson Tide has out-scored the opposition 4-0 in Tuscaloosa.
Next Time Out: The Crimson Tide will host its only tournament of the season when it will host three teams for the Crimson Tide Classic next weekend. Alabama will play two matches and a total of four will be played at the UA Soccer Complex next weekend. The Crimson Tide opens the weekend against UTC on Friday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m.
