Soccer Opens Exhibition Slate with 1-0 Loss to Mercer
8/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 13, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama soccer team opened its 2009 exhibition slate with a 1-0 loss to Mercer Thursday evening at the Alabama Soccer Complex. Both teams played scoreless until the Bears found the back of the net in the 76th minute to earn the win.
"The goal today was to come out here and have a learning experience," Alabama head coach Todd Bramble said. "We are never going to be satisfied with not getting a positive result but today was more about getting everybody to play and getting the freshmen some experience."
With both teams getting a feeling for their new teammates and playing in their first match of the season the first half went scoreless. Despite Alabama coming out in the second frame on the offensive it was Mercer who was able to get on the scoreboard.
In the 76th minute the Bears took advantage of a set play on the left side of the field. Ali Meek took the free kick from 25 yards out near her- own bench and found Danielle Hesse on a diagonal run in the box. Hesse took buried the ball on a header near post from eight yards out.
Mercer opened the game by rallying off 13 shots in the first frame to the two by Alabama but the Crimson Tide came out in the second frame and peppered 10 shots to seven by the Bears. Overall Mercer out-shot Alabama 20-12 on the match.
Sara Elliot paced the Bears with three shots, putting one on goal. The Crimson Tide was led by freshman Lindsey Sillers and her three shots, putting one on frame.
Alabama goalkeeper Justine Bernier made her highly anticipated return between the pipes. The sophomore kept Mercer scoreless for her 73 minutes of action. Bernier recorded six saves. Laura Nicholls played 16 minutes and allowed one goal.
"I am always going to love coming out and playing on this field and putting on an Alabama jersey," Bernier said. "With all the new freshmen we have and potential we have it was really great to get out here and be put in a game situation."
Mercer played four different goalkeepers with Jean Worts earning the start, making two saves in 32 minutes of action.
Alabama will close out its exhibition schedule against Clemson on Saturday, August 15 at the Tophat Soccer Club in Atlanta, Ga. Bramble return to face his old squad at 1:00 p.m. against a Tigers team he led to an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA tournament.
