Soccer Opens 2009 with 2-0 Loss to UAB

Friday, August 21

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

7:00 p.m

Alabama

0-1-0

UAB

1-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
UAB	1	1	2
Alabama	0	0	0

Freshman Kaitlyn Smith made her Alabama debut Friday night.

Soccer Opens 2009 with 2-0 Loss to UAB

8/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

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Aug. 21, 2009

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama women's soccer team opened its 2009 campaign with a 2-0 loss to instate foe UAB Friday night at the Alabama Soccer Complex. The Blazers were able to strike early and added another midway through the second half to earn the victory. After the opener the Crimson Tide moves to 0-1-0 on the season.

"UAB was really sharp to start the game and was able to score a great goal," Alabama head coach Todd Bramble said. "I was really happy with how we rebounded from that and was able to gain a lot of momentum and create chances. I really felt it was going to happen at the end of the half and we came out really well to start out the second half."

After both teams were getting a feeling for each other in the first five minutes of the match it was the Blazers that struck first. UAB tallied its first goal of the season in the seventh minute when Danya Barsalona found Tiffini Turpin in the center of the Alabama box. From 16 yards out Turpin took a one-touch shot and found the upper right corner on a cross from the left side of the field near the UAB bench.

UAB added all the insurance it would need when Barsalona was on the scoring end. Laura McCalla played a through ball deep from the backfield which Barsalona collected and beat the Alabama defense and slipped far post to bring the Blazers lead to 2-0.

UAB was able to strike first but Alabama continually attacked the Blazers defensive third for the remainder of the half. UAB out-shot UA 7-6 in the first half.

The Crimson Tide continued to put the pressure on the Blazers but was unable to find the back of the net. UAB out-shot Alabama 13-9 in the match and 6-3 in the final period.

Leading the way on the attacking end for Alabama was junior midfielder Rosaly Petriello, who tallied three shots and put one on frame. Carolyn Polcari and McCalla paced the Blazers with three shots apiece. Both players put one on goal.

Seven freshmen made their collegiate debuts for Alabama. Josie Rix, Kaitlyn Smith and Ashley Willis got the starting nod from coach Bramble.

"The freshmen came in and did an excellent job for us," Bramble said. "They aren't going to gain any experience on the bench so we are going to continue to put them in the game and let them grow."

In her official return to the Alabama Soccer Stadium Crimson Tide goalkeeper Justine Bernier allowed two goals and made three saves. Kate Blankenship earned the clean sheet on the strength of two saves.

Alabama will now have a week to prepare for its first road trip of the season. The Crimson Tide will head to Birmingham to face the Samford Bulldogs on Friday, August 28 at 7:00 p.m. UA will then close out the week against Jacksonville State on Sunday, August 30.