Soccer Heads to Atlanta to Face Clemson in Exhibition Play
8/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 14, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama women's soccer team will conclude the exhibition portion of its schedule with a match against Clemson on Saturday, Aug. 15 in Atlanta, Ga. The neutral-site matchup will be played at the Tophat Field Complex and will begin at 1:00 p.m. The match will be the first time the two schools have faced one another.
Last Time Out: Alabama played its first exhibition match of the season on Thursday at the Alabama Soccer Complex and was held scoreless in a 1-0 loss to Mercer. The Crimson Tide kept the Bears from connecting on a goal in the first half despite being out shot 13-2. Alabama edged the shot total closer in the second half by rallying off 10, compared to Mercer's seven. The Bears found the back of the net in the 76th minute when an Ali Meek free kick from 25 yards out found the head of Danielle Hesse on a diagonal run in the box. Hesse found an opening from eight yards out and slipped the only goal of the night between the near post and Alabama goalkeeper Laura Nicholls. Mercer was paced by Sara Elliot who found the frame on one of her three shots while true freshman Lindsey Sillers led Alabama with three shots and one shot on goal. Justine Bernier started between the posts for the Tide and logged 73 scoreless minutes with six saves.
Scouting Clemson: The Tigers enter Saturday afternoon's exhibition having played no other contest in 2009. Last season Clemson finished with a 5-11-1 overall record and a 1-8-1 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. For the first time since 2001 the Tigers failed to reach the NCAA Tournament. With nine starters and 17 letterwinners returning, the Tigers look to improve on their 2008 effort. In 17 games played last season Clemson scored 26 goals, had 25 assists and accumulated 77 total points, while giving up 38 goals, 32 assists and 108 total points. Midfielder Molly Franklin enters her senior season as the Tiger's leading returner in points (8) and assists (4). Franklin also netted two goals last season. Judea Davis returns for her junior year after scoring three times in sophomore effort and the Tiger's also welcome back four other starters who scored multiple times in 2008. Junior goalkeeper Paula Pritzen made 17 starts between the posts as a sophomore where she recorded 93 saves and three shutouts. Head coach Hershey Strosberg enters his second year at the helm of Clemson's program after serving as assistant women's coach at the University of Virginia from 2001-07.
Series History: This will be the first meeting between Alabama and Clemson.
Bramble Ties: Prior to joining the Crimson Tide in 2008, head coach Todd Bramble served as the head man at Clemson from 2001-2007. In seven seasons at the helm of the Tigers' program Bramble led Clemson to the NCAA Tournament each season, with a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2001 and to the Elite Eight in 2006. Bramble compiled an 80-51-17 overall record and never had a losing season as head coach at Clemson.
Last Season Recap: Under first-year head coach Todd Bramble Alabama won six of its first nine games to jump out to a 6-2-1 start. The Tide played its last 11 games at a 3-7-1 mark, but finished with a 4-6-1 Southeastern Conference record and earned its first trip to the SEC Tournament since 2004 and just its second since 1998. Alabama's run in Orange Beach was ended in a 1-2 first-match loss to No. 7 Florida. The Tide recorded a 7-3 record within the friendly confines of the Alabama Soccer Complex and notched eight shutouts on the year, which tied for second most in the league. Sophomore Brooke Rogers garnered an All-SEC Second Team selection by racking up 10 points off three goals in conference play and four assists that tied her for most on the squad with four other teammates. Senior Kailey Corken capped off her career with a team-high seven goals and three assists to lead the Tide with 17 points. Victoria Frederick netted three goals and assisted on four others in addition to leading the team with 21 shots on goal in her sophomore effort.
Season Preview: After earning a trip to the SEC Tournament in Orange Beach, Alabama looks to improve on its 2008 effort. The Tide returns seniors Alex Butera, who logged a team-high 1,714 minutes as part of Alabama's stingy defense in 2008, and Kelsey King who adds experience in the offensive attack after netting two goals and assisting on four others last season. Although seven juniors return to squad, Alabama welcomes 11 newcomers to the team and will rely on the fresh faces to add quality depth and make an impact in 2009. After taking the 2008 season off to represent Team Canada in the U-20 World Cup in Chile, goalkeeper Justine Bernier returns for her sophomore year of collegiate action. As a freshman at the Capstone, Bernier garnered SEC freshmen honors after breaking the school record in saves with 145. In addition to the tough stretch of SEC action and the instate opponents of UAB, Samford, Jacksonville State and South Alabama, the Tide will host Memphis and travel to Lubbock, Texas for matches against Texas Tech and TCU.
Returning Honorees: With the departure of five starters Alabama will lean on a group of experienced veterans, including three players recognized by the SEC for their accomplishments. Brooke Rogers returns for her junior season after scoring three goals in conference play and tying for the team lead with four assists. For her efforts, Rogers was selected as an All-SEC Second Team member last season. Justine Bernier, a SEC All-Freshmen Team member in 2007, rejoins the Tide after representing Team Canada at the U-20 World Cup in Chile during the 2008 season. As a freshman Bernier broke the school record in saves with 145. Victoria Frederick enters her junior year as one of the Tide's leading scorers from last season and was named to the SEC All-Freshmen Team after leading Alabama in points and goals her freshman year.
Youth Movement: With 11 newcomers and 10 freshmen joining the Tide for the 2009 campaign, at least a few of the rookies will make an immediate impact on the field. After graduating the two leading scorers from last season, the offense looks to be an area that will look for help from the new faces. Head coach Todd Bramble cites Amanda Ortegon, from McAllen, Texas, and Lindsey Sillers, a local product from Birmingham's Briarwood Christian School, as two potential players who can add depth to the offensive attack. With the bulk of the defensive starting positions being occupied by returning veterans, the midfield is another area that can potentially be helped by the influx of newcomers, and Bramble sees freshman Josie Rix as a candidate to win the defensive midfield spot.
Two Seniors Look to Cap Off Alabama Careers: Although this year's senior class is thin, Alabama will rely heavily on the two that are part of the squad. Alex Butera logged a team-high 1,714 minutes while starting in every game for the Tide in 2008 as part of a defensive unit that recorded eight shutouts on the season, which tied for second most in the SEC. Kelsey King rejoins the Tide's offense after starting in all 20 games her junior season where she was one of four players to lead the team with four assists. King also netted two goals to total eight points on the year.
Alabama Soccer on Twitter: Fans of the Alabama soccer team can now follow the squad on Twitter. The social website will give fans an inside look into the program. Head coach Todd Bramble will provide the posts and will include pictures and videos of the team. htttp://twitter.com/AlabamaSoccer
Next Time Out: Alabama will officially open its 2009 schedule at home on August 21 against instate foe UAB. The two Alabama programs will kickoff the season at 7:00 p.m. at the UA Soccer Complex.
