Soccer Downed by No. 21 Fullerton 3-1

Friday, September 5

Fullerton, Calif.

9:30 p.m

Alabama

1-1-1

Cal St Fullerton

4-0-0

Alabama

Cal State Fullerton

Veronika Wolfkeil netted her first career goal Friday night.

Soccer Downed by No. 21 Fullerton 3-1

9/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 6, 2008

Box Score

FULLERTON, Calif. - The Alabama soccer team played its first ranked opponent of the season tough but eventually fell to No. 21 Cal State Fullerton 3-1 at Titan Stadium Friday night. After the night the Crimson Tide drops to 1-1-1 overall while the Titans improve to 4-0-0.

Alabama matched the nationally ranked squad from Fullerton for over a half as the two squads went into the intermission locked at one.

The Titans opened the scoring in the 30th minute when Janea Deas found the net off a through pass from Stacey Fox. Deas beat Alabama goalkeeper Kara Gudmens near post.

The Crimson Tide answered 11 minutes later as freshman Veronika Wolfkeil netted her first collegiate goal. Wolfkeil made a far post run and was rewarded as junior forward Kelsey King drew Fullerton goalkeeper Shannon Simpson near post and was able to get it out of the reach of the 5-9 keeper.

With constant pressure in the early going in the second frame by the Crimson Tide the Titans were the ones who broke through. Fullerton took the lead for good when Jenae Gibbens scored off a header from Christina Murillo in the 68th minute.

The Titans tacked on the insurance goal in the 76th minute when Casey Volk took a Geminesse Martinez pass on a run down the right side and found net far post over Gudmens.

Fullerton had the narrow advantage in the shot category as the Titans recorded 16 to the 13 by the Crimson Tide. Deas paced Fullerton with a game-high five shots while Alabama senior midfielder Jessica Deegan once again led the way with four shots.

Gudmens allowed all three goals and was credited with five saves as she drops her first decision on the season. Simpson allowed one goal for the Titans and made two stops.

Alabama will cap off its California trip with a visit to the reigning national champ in USC. The Crimson Tide will face the Trojans on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 3:00 p.m. CST at McAlister Field. USC earned a 2-1 victory over No. 12 ranked Santa Clara Friday night.