Soccer Opens Road Slate Against Samford
8/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 27, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama soccer team will travel to Birmingham for a match against Samford on Friday, Aug. 28 at the Bulldog Soccer Field. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. and the game will be Crimson Tide's second-straight against an opponent from the Magic City.
Last Time Out
The Crimson Tide opened up regular season action on Friday, Aug. 21 by welcoming instate foe UAB to the Alabama Soccer Complex. The Blazers stuck first in the seventh minute when Tiffini Turpin received a Danya Barsalona pass in the center the center of Alabama's box and found the upper right corner from 16 yards out. Barsalona added the insurance goal in the 66th minute to lift UAB over the Tide by a 2-0 score. Alabama was outshot 13-9 and only managed two shots on goal, compared to five by the Blazers. Rosaly Petriello fired three shots, one on frame, and true freshman Kaitlyn Smith also found the frame on one of her two shots. Justine Bernier played all 90 minutes between the posts for Alabama and made three saves while allowing two goals. Seven freshmen made their collegiate debuts for Alabama, with Smith, Josie Rix and Ashley Willis earning starts.
Who to Watch
The Alabama attack has yet to find the back of the net but does posses the firepower to put games out of reach. Despite not scoring in the two exhibition matches and the opener against UAB the Crimson Tide return All-SEC second-team member Brooke Rogers. Also up front Alabama features fleet-footed Victoria Frederick. The two combined to score six goals in 2008. In all the Crimson Tide returns 13 goals to its 2009 roster.
Scouting Samford
The Bulldog's opened their season on Sunday, Aug. 23 by playing No. 25 ranked Auburn to a 0-0 draw. In the defensive struggle Samford's Alyssa Whitehead recorded nine saves, which ties her previous career-high. The Bulldogs allowed Auburn to rattle off 17 shots, nine of which were on goal. Samford finished the scoreless tie by finding the frame only twice in five chances. The Bulldogs return 11 starters from last year's team that advanced to the semifinal round of the Southern Conference Tournament.
Series History
Although only 60 miles stand between the two schools, Alabama and Samford have only faced each other once before. The Crimson Tide welcomed the Bulldogs to the Alabama Soccer Complex on Sept. 12, 2008 and Alabama earned the 1-0 victory in the series' first meeting. Senior Jessica Deegan notched the game's only goal in the 29th minute when she took a pass from Rosaly Petriello and buried it just under the crossbar from 16 yards out. Tide goalkeeper Kara Gudmens made seven saves to earn the shutout.
Freshmen Playing Time
Alabama head coach Todd Bramble began the 2009 campaign by starting three freshmen and playing a total seven in the contest against UAB. The seven freshmen and three that got the starting nod is the most since the 2007 team. Justine Bernier, Brooke Rogers and Victoria Frederick started the first game of the season in 2007. Josie Rix, Ashley Willis and Kaitlyn Smith got the starting nod for Bramble last Friday.
Road Openers
Alabama is 9-8-1 all time in road openers. Last season under the direction of first-year head coach Todd Bramble, the Crimson Tide played Memphis to a 1-1 draw. The last win for Alabama to open the road slate came in 2007 when the Crimson Tide defeated Robert Morris, 3-1 on Aug. 31.
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.
Bernier Helps Canada to U-20 World Cup
Alabama sophomore goalkeeper Justine Bernier (Oakville, Ontario) kept busy in her year away from collegiate action by representing her county and getting to travel the world in doing so. Bernier and team Canada sailed through CONCACAF women's under-20 championship to earn the title by the way of a 1-0 decision over the United States in Mexico. Team Canada did not fare as well at the U-20 World Cup in Chile, as they failed to advance out of their group after losses to Germany and Japan. The Alabama single season record holder in saves has been in the team Canada pool at the U-16, U-17 and U-18 levels.
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.
Next Time Out
Alabama will continue its first road trip of the season when it heads to Jacksonville, Ala. to face the Gamecocks on Sunday, Aug. 30. The two teams will meet at the JSU Soccer Field at 7 p.m. The Crimson Tide returns home for a single Friday contest next week against Memphis.
