Soccer Set to Host C-USA Power Memphis Sunday
9/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Sept. 12, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama soccer team (2-2) will conclude its long week of training with one match this weekend. The Crimson Tide will host the Memphis Tigers (3-2) on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. at the Alabama Soccer Stadium.
Who to Watch Victoria Frederick set a career high by scoring three goals and handing out an assist in a 5-1 win over South Alabama. The hat-trick is the first recorded by a Crimson Tide player since 2005. Frederick leads the Tide in goals (3), assists (2), shots (11), and points (8). The junior from Huntsville also scored the game winning goal against South Alabama.
Last Time Out Alabama earned its second victory of the season and first at home with a 5-1 win against the Jaguars of South Alabama. Alabama immediately seized control of the match four minutes in with the first goal of the game and never looked back. Victoria Frederick tallied a career high seven points in the contest by recording a hat-trick and handing out an assist. Five different Alabama players tallied a point in the contest.
Scouting Memphis The Tigers enter Tuscaloosa with a 3-2 overall record after falling to Tennessee in Knoxville Friday by the score of 2-1. Junior Ashley Berra leads the Tigers with four goals in five games after she found the net once again in the losing effort to the Lady Vols. midfielder Vendula Strnadova was named preseason Conference USA offensive player of the year as announced Tuesday by C-USA. Sophomore forward Lizzy Simonin and junior defender Kelsey Bakker join Strnadova on the preseason C-USA team. Strnadova, the 2008 C-USA Offensive Player and Midfielder of the Year, is poised to have another great year for the back-to-back C-USA champions. Strnadova was second on the 2008 team in goals (8), assists (4), shots (57), and SOG (27). Memphis is looking to become the first C-USA school to win three-consecutive conference championships. The 2009 season will be the 10th season for Head Coach Brooks Monaghan, who is three wins away from 100 career wins.
Series History Alabama's series with Memphis has been close. In three games each team has picked up a win while the third game resulted in a tie. Alabama claimed a win in 2006 when the Tide and the Tigers played for the first time. In 2007 Memphis got its first win against the Tide, and in 2008 both teams battled to a 1-1 tie in Memphis.
100 Wins at Home The Alabama soccer team is rapidly approaching the 100 win mark in matches played at home. The Crimson Tide holds a 99-42-9 overall record at matches played in Tuscaloosa. Alabama won its last match at home in a 5-1 barnburner against South Alabama. The Crimson Tide has only posted one losing season in matches played at the friendly confines.
Frederick Impresses Alabama junior Victoria Frederick jumpstarted the Crimson Tide attack by taking matters into her-own hands against South Alabama on Sept. 6. After Alabama had found the back of the net only two times to start the 2009 campaign, the Huntsville, Ala. native recorded seven points on the strength of three goals and an assist in the 5-1 win. Frederick had her hand in four of the five tallies for the Crimson Tide. The three goals is the first for a member of the Crimson Tide since the 2005 season. On the year Frederick paces the team with eight points on three goals and two assists.
SEC Rankings Alabama junior Victoria Frederick ranks third in the conference in goals with three and goals per game at 0.75. Frederick also ranks seventh with her two assists. Her seven points is tied for the most scored in a conference game this season and her three goals is also tied for the most by a SEC player.
Next Time Out The Crimson Tide will play on the road at Texas Tech in the Red Raider Classic tournament in Lubbock, Texas on Sept. 18. Alabama is scheduled to open classic play against host Texas Tech on Friday and then face off against TCU on Sunday.
