Soccer Set for Power of Pink Match Against Vanderbilt
10/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Oct. 17, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama soccer team (6-6-1, 2-3-1) will cap off the weekend as it hosts Vanderbilt (7-7-1, 1-6-0) as part of the Power of Pink initiative Sunday afternoon at the Alabama Soccer Stadium. Kickoff between the two squads is set for 1:00 p.m.
Last Time Out: Alabama returned home in a big way as it blanked Kentucky 2-0 Friday night. Junior midfielder Rosaly Petriello had her hand in both Crimson Tide goals as she scored on a tough angle strike in the ninth minute and handed out an assist with 50 seconds remaining in the match. Alabama clamped down on the defensive side of the ball as it only allowed three Kentucky shots all night. The clean sheet was the fourth of the season for Alabama goalkeeper Justine Bernier and the rest of the Crimson Tide.
Who to Watch: Alabama junior midfielder Rosaly Petriello returned to form as she propelled the Crimson Tide to a 2-0 victory Friday night over Kentucky. Petriello recorded her second goal of the season and handed out her third assist of the campaign. The Saint Catharines, Ontario native scored on a golden left foot strike from a tough angle on the right side of the field. Off the instep she bent the ball around the Kentucky keeper far post to give the Alabama defense all it would need. She then rewarded a nice run by senior Kelsey King in the final minute of play to add the final tally of the match.
Scouting Vanderbilt: The Commodores enter Tuscaloosa with a 7-7-1 record overall and a 1-6-0 mark in conference action. VU opened the weekend with a 3-0 loss to Auburn to drop its fourth consecutive match. Coming into the weekend, Molly Kinsella and Nicole Lukens lead the Commodores with 18 points and 13 points, respectively. Lukens scored the Commodores' lone goal of the weekend against No. 10 LSU and will be looked to for leadership in two must-win SEC contests this weekend. Kinsella looks to continue her dominance in assists, as she is ranked 13th in the country in assists per game in Division I with .57.
Series History: Vanderbilt has held the series lead with an 11-2-3 advantage. The Crimson Tide broke a seven match losing streak against the Commodores by earning a 2-0 decision in Nashville, Tenn., last season. Alabama's only other win came in Tuscaloosa in 1999.
Power of Pink: The UA athletics department will kick off its "Power of Pink" breast cancer awareness initiative this weekend. The Power of Pink is the athletics department's year-long effort to raise awareness of and support for breast cancer initiatives in the West Alabama community. Volleyball, soccer, and swimming and diving will host the initial events starting this weekend with volleyball against Tennessee on Friday at 6 p.m. and soccer facing off against Vanderbilt at 1 p.m. Sunday. The soccer team will sport pink jerseys against the Commodores to support the cause.
Goals and Wins: So far this season the Crimson Tide has played a very defensive brand of soccer but when they do find the back of the net it usually leads to a win. Alabama is 6-1 this season when it scores a goal with its only loss coming against Conference USA champion Memphis on Sept. 13. Alabama has played in five one goal games and has won four of them, posting two 1-0 shutouts over that span.
Next Time Out: Alabama will hit the road for a single contest on Thursday, Oct. 22 against Georgia before returning home for a Sunday matinee against Tennessee. Alabama will kickoff in Athens at 7:00 p.m. and return home for a 1:00 p.m. start on Sunday.
