Soccer Opens SEC Play in Impressive Fashion

Friday, September 26

Nashville, Tenn.

7:00 p.m

Alabama

6-2-1, 1-0-0SEC

Vanderbilt

6-2-1, 0-1-0SEC

Team	1	2	Final F
Alabama	1	1	2
Vanderbilt	0	0	0

Brooke Rogers was the hero for the Crimson Tide Friday night.

Soccer Opens SEC Play in Impressive Fashion

9/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 26, 2008

Box Score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Alabama soccer team opened its Southeastern Conference schedule in impressive fashion as they handed the SEC Eastern Division leader Vanderbilt a 2-0 defeat Friday night at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex. The win is the first on the season for the Crimson Tide on the road and it also marks the first loss at home for the Commodores in 2008. The shutout is the fifth in a row for Alabama.

"This game was the best we have started all season," head coach Todd Bramble said after his first career SEC win at the helm of the Crimson Tide. "We put them on their heels and got another great defensive effort. We showed unbelievable heart and effort tonight."

Sophomore midfielder Brooke Rogers came into the contest off the bench and made the most of her minutes as she tallied an early goal for the Tide and handed out an assist on the late insurance goal by Kelsey King. After the day, UA improves to 6-2-1 overall and 1-0 in league play while VU drops to 6-2-1 on the year and 0-1 to start SEC action.

All six wins have come by the way of the shutout as Alabama has not allowed a goal since Sept. 7. Kara Gudmens was once again stellar in between the pipes. The junior keeper made 13 saves to earn her fourth shutout on the season.

Rogers came off the bench and then collected a Jessica Deegan pass to hand Alabama the early 1-0 lead. The midfielder found the back of the net in the 27th minute when she broke loose on the left side and scored far post from 10 yards out.

King then put the game out of reach as she netted her second goal of the season in 89th minute. The junior found the back of the net on a Rogers pass. King secured the win for Alabama when she scored on a breakaway as regulation was winding down.

Vanderbilt out-shot Alabama 37-9 but the Crimson Tide made the most of its opportunities on the road. Rogers led Alabama with four shots while Deegan followed with two. Nicole Lukens of Vanderbilt tallied a game-high seven shots.

While Gudmens and the Alabama defense held the Commodore attack from the back of the net, Vanderbilt goalkeeper Rachel Bachtel allowed two goals and made two saves.

Alabama will continue its SEC opening weekend on the road in Lexington, Ky. The Crimson Tide will face off against the Wildcats on Sunday, Sept. 28 at Noon at the UK Soccer Complex.