Soccer Splits Weekend Matches in Birmingham
3/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
March 30, 2010
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama soccer team split its two matches this weekend in Birmingham. The Tide opened the weekend slate with a 2-0 decision over Samford but fell a couple hours later to UAB, 2-0. After the two fixtures Alabama sports a 3-1-1 record on the spring.
Despite a tough 3-0 loss to Samford during the regular season, Alabama returned to Birmingham with a new look and returned the favor. In a match that was all Alabama from the first whistle, the Tide earned a convincing 2-0 win over the NCAA tournament qualifiers.
Brooke Rogers got the Tide on the board quickly when she drove a one-timer into the net off an assist from Victoria Frederick. The fleet-footed Frederick broke past the Bulldog defense and slipped a pass across the six-yard box to set up the easy finish.
The Bulldogs tried to return to form as the game progressed but the Tide put the match away when Frederick was on the scoring end of a strike. Frederick broke free and buried her one-on-one chance to hand Alabama a 2-0 victory.
All-SEC goalkeeper Justine Bernier kept the Bulldogs quiet for the first 70 minutes of the match. Laura Nicholls completed the shutout in the remaining 20 minutes. After a short rest and quick drive over to UAB the Tide returned to the pitch.
Fresh from no previous games on the day the Blazers handed the Tide a 2-0 defeat. UAB took advantage of a turnover deep in Alabama territory and buried its one-one-one chance to take the early 1-0 lead. The Blazers added its final tally on a penalty kick in the second half.
After five spring matches Frederick paces Alabama in scoring with three goals and an assist. Rogers closely follows with two goals and an assist while Rosaly Petriello and Lindsey Sillers each have one tally apiece. Petriello also leads the team with two helpers.
Alabama will continue its spring slate against Georgia State and SEC-foe Mississippi State on Saturday, April 10 with kickoff scheduled for 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., respectively.
