Soccer Handles Chattanooga 5-0 Friday Night

Friday, September 19

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

7:30 p.m

Alabama

4-2-1

Chattanooga

3-4-1

Chattanooga

Alabama

Senior Jessica Deegan tallied six points for the Tide Friday night.

Soccer Handles Chattanooga 5-0 Friday Night

9/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 19, 2008

Box Score | Photo Gallery

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama soccer team opened up the Crimson Tide Classic with a 5-0 win over Chattanooga Friday night at the UA Soccer Complex. Alabama used two first half goals and tacked on three more in the second half to earn its fourth straight win at home. After the victory the Crimson Tide improve to 4-2-1 while the Lady Mocs drop to 3-4-1 on the season.

"I like the way we started tonight's game," head coach Todd Bramble said. "It was important tonight that we got off to a fast start and put UTC on their heels. Kelsey King was outstanding tonight helping us get behind them and serving great crosses. It paid off. We scored two goals in the first 25 minutes and gained control of the match."

Alabama used first half goals from seniors Kailey Corken and Jessica Deegan. Corken started the scoring for the Crimson Tide in the 11th minute. The senior was set up on a cross by junior Kelsey King. Corken collected the cross and beat Allie Preston far post from five yards out.

Deegan then got on the scoring end on an unassisted goal in the 23rd minute. The senior took advantage of a loose ball in front of the frame and buried it with a header from three yards out.

Corken struck again for her team-leading fourth goal in the 70th minute on an assist by senior Jamie Zimmerman. The Cincinnati, Ohio native found the net far post from 18 yards out from a tough angle on the left side of the box.

Sophomore Victoria Frederick added the fourth goal in the 73rd minute. The forward was set up for her third goal of the season by Deegan and newcomer Taylor Parks. Parks just entered the game for the first time in her career one minute prior to recording her first collegiate point.

Deegan struck again for her sixth point of the contest on a penalty kick from 25 yards out. The final tally was recorded in the 85th minute on a well struck low drive far post. The six points is a career high for the Centreville, Va. native. Coming into the contest with three consecutive shutouts, the Crimson Tide broke the record with its fourth of the season.

"It has been great to have this success so far in front of our home crowd," Deegan said. "The energy has really helped us. The coaches really got us confident for the game. We had a lot of fun tonight and we were able to rack up some points before the start of SEC play."

The shutout marks the third straight for Alabama and junior goalkeeper Kara Gudmens. The reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Week made six saves to earn the clean slate. Alabama out-shot Chattanooga 37-14. Preston made 15 saves for the Lady Mocs.

Deegan paced Alabama in shots with nine, putting six on frame. Frederick followed with seven while King added six. Katharina Rheinheimer paced UTC with four shots. Chelsea Hurst and Jessica Dugger followed with three.

In the first game of the Crimson Classic Jacksonville earned the three points on the neutral field by defeating Mississippi Valley State 2-0.

Alabama will conclude its tournament play with a 2:30 p.m. contest on Sunday, Sept. 21 against Mississippi Valley State. UTC will square off against Jacksonville in the early game at Noon. Both games will be played at the UA Soccer Complex.