Soccer Concludes Exhibition Slate with 3-1 Win
8/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 14, 2010
ATLANTA - The Alabama soccer team concluded its exhibition slate by racing past Mercer 3-1 Saturday afternoon at the Tophat Soccer Complex. The Crimson Tide used one first half goal and netted two more in the second frame to finish its exhibition slate a perfect 2-0.
"I was pleased that we were able to use so many players again and with an exception of a 15-minute period, we were in total control of the game," Alabama head coach Todd Bramble said. "I was very happy with the chances that we created. We made clear progress from the start of preseason to now as well as from the first exhibition match to now."
Alabama set the tone early as it took a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute. Senior Brooke Rogers found the back of the net on a one-touch volley off an errant clearance. Rogers earned the tally after turning with her back to goal and finding the near post.
After Mercer tied the game it went into halftime all square, Alabama erupted for two second half goals.
Freshman Kendall Khanna tallied the game-winner in the 73rd minute when she blew by the outside of the Mercer defense and cut inside to beat the keeper far-post with her left foot. Senior Rosaly Petriello set up the fleet-footed rookie with a nicely placed through ball on the right side.
Sophomore Tia King then wrapped up the scoring in the 89th minute when a poor clearance fell in her lap and she promptly chipped in past the keeper from 23 yards out.
Alabama out-shot Mercer 18-6, including a 10-2 advantage in the second half. Junior goalkeeper Justine Bernier played the majority of the minutes and then was subbed late in the match for freshman Emily Cox.
Alabama will open its regular season at home against in-state foe Samford on Friday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. The match will be played at the Alabama Soccer Stadium.
