Soccer Set to Face No. 17 LSU
10/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Oct. 1, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama soccer team (5-3, 1-0) will host the No. 17 ranked LSU Tigers (6-2-2, 2-0) this Friday, Oct. 2. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at the Alabama Soccer Stadium. The Crimson Tide will then welcome the Arkansas Razorbacks on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 12:30 p.m. The match will be televised on Sport South.
Who to Watch: Sophomore goalkeeper Justine Bernier has had two straight shutouts, one against Mississippi State and the other against TCU. Junior forward Victoria Frederick continues to lead the Crimson Tide with the most number of goals (4), shots on goal (10), and points (10). Frederick is also a category leader tied for first in assists (2) with Rosaly Petriello , shots (16) with Brooke Rogers, and game winning goals (1) with Kelly King, Brooke Rogers, Kelsey King, and Amanda Ortegon.
Last Time Out: The match between Alabama and Mississippi State was set for Sunday, Sept. 27 but was postponed due to weather conditions. The two programs finally met Tuesday, Sept. 30 on the MSU Soccer Field where Alabama claimed its fifth win of the season, fourth on the road, by a score of 1-0. Although MSU out-shot the Tide 21-10 overall, the Bulldogs failed to find the back of the net. With only seconds remaining in the first period, the Tide's Kelly King scored the first goal of the game, her first of the season, off an assist by Amanda Ortegon. Justine Bernier made nine saves to earn her second straight clean sheet.
Scouting LSU: The Tigers (6-2-2) enter the game off a 5-1 win over Tennessee. Malorie Rutledge leads the Tigers in assists (5) and points (15), and is tied with Rachel Yepez and Melissa Clarke in goals (5). Yepez, who was named the Soccer America National Player of the Week, leads the team in shots (39), shots on goal (17), and is tied with Melissa Clarke for game winning goals (2).
LSU senior All-American Malorie Rutledge has been recognized as a National Player of the Year candidate by the Missouri Athletic Club once again this fall as she was named to the organization's Hermann Trophy Watch List. This marks the second year in a row that Rutledge has been a candidate to receive the Hermann Trophy as she joins 45 student-athletes from across the country on this year's watch list.
Rutledge, a senior from Sharpsburg, Ga., is the most decorated soccer player in the history of the program as she was a consensus All-American and the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2008. She received All-America honors from TopDrawerSoccer.com, Soccer America and Soccer Buzz while picking up her second career First-Team All-SEC honor last fall.
Series History: Alabama and LSU have played 14 times overall with the Tide leading 9-4-1. The Tigers won 7-0 in the last match between the two programs on Oct. 12, 2008 at the LSU Soccer Complex. The Tide has hosted LSU seven times at the Alabama Soccer Stadium and leads 5-1-1 at home.
Clean Sheets: Alabama has now posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time this season. The Crimson Tide blanked TCU 1-0 and then nine days later held Mississippi State scoreless by the same mark. Under Bramble in just over one season the Crimson Tide has posted eight shutouts. Sophomore goalkeeper Justine Bernier has not allowed a goal in 238 minutes.
Next Time Out: Alabama will play again on Sun. Oct. 4 against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Kickoff is slated for 12:30 p.m. at the Alabama Soccer Stadium. This match will be televised on Sport South.
