Soccer Heads to Vanderbilt for Sunday Matinee
10/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Oct. 16, 2010
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama soccer team (8-4-2, 3-2-2 SEC) will look to keep atop the Southeastern Conference Western Division standings as it heads to Nashville, Tenn., to face Vanderbilt (6-7-2, 2-3-2 SEC). The two teams will kick off on Sunday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m., at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex.
LAST TIME OUT
Alabama dropped its second consecutive match as it fell on the road at Kentucky, 3-1 Friday night. All the goals were scored in the second half. The Wildcats scored two quick goals after coming out of the intermission but the Crimson Tide pulled within one when Victoria Frederick netted her third of the season. The Wildcats put in an insurance goal late to earn the victory.
WHO TO WATCH
Alabama senior Victoria Frederick continues to play at a high level during conference play. The senior netted her third goal of the season and enters Sunday's contest with 12 points, adding a team-best six assists. During the league slate, Frederick leads the team with nine points on two goals and five assists. The Huntsville, Ala., native has scored at least a point every weekend for a month straight and since Sept. 12, has tallied three goals and five assists.
SCOUTING VANDERBILT
The Commodores enter Sunday's contest, coming off a 1-1 tie against Auburn to extend its unbeaten streak to three games. As a team Vanderbilt has outscored its opponents 18-17 but has been outshot by the opposition 191-157. Individually VU is led by Molly and Megan Kinsella. Both enter the matchup with 10 points on three goals and four assists. Dana Schwartz, Nicole Adams and Candace West also sport three goals apiece. In goal, Rachel Bachtel has played every minute, sporting an 1.08 goals against average while tallying 67 saves. Head coach Ronnie Woodard enters her 10th season at the helm of the Commodores. She guided VU to an 11-8-1 overall record in 2009 and a 5-6-0 conference mark, bowing out to LSU, 4-2 in the SEC tournament.
SERIES HISTORY
The two programs will be meeting for the 17th time as Vanderbilt leads the series 12-2-3. Alabama lost in its last meeting with the Commodores, 1-0 in overtime in Tuscaloosa. In their last match in Nashville, the Tide earned a 2-0 win on Sept. 26, 2008. Brooke Rogers scored a goal and handed out an assist in the win two years ago.
RACE TO ORANGE BEACH
Alabama is currently sitting in the fifth spot in the standings to reach the Southeastern Conference tournament in Orange Beach. South Carolina and Florida sits atop the seeding with 16 points each. Vanderbilt currently resides in the eighth and final spot with eight points as the final four spots are separated by just three points. The SEC tournament will begin on Nov. 3.
WESTERN DIVISION WATCH
The Alabama soccer team has jumped out to a quick start in conference play and has done so against western division opponents. The Crimson Tide has played four of the five division opponents already and has yet to lose, holding a one-point lead in the division over Auburn. The Tide will face Auburn in the final match of the regular season on Oct. 29. With the 11 points, Alabama currently sits in fifth place in the overall SEC standings. South Carolina and Florida lead the league with 16 points and Georgia (15) and Tennessee (13) closely follow.
NEXT TIME OUT
Alabama will return home for its last regular season home match of the season as it will host Georgia on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. The Crimson Tide will then hit the road and head to Knoxville, Tenn., to face the Lady Vols on Sunday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m. The match will air on CSS.
