Soccer Set to Open 2010 Campaign Against Samford
8/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 19, 2010
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Under the direction of third-year head coach Todd Bramble the Alabama soccer team will open its 2010 campaign on Friday, Aug. 20 against in-state foe Samford. The two teams will kickoff at 7:00 p.m. at the Alabama Soccer Stadium. The contest will be streamed live on TideTV with Jordan Eichenblatt calling the action.
Soccer Promotions
First athletic event of the season, attendance is free to everyone, Free schedule card giveaway. Introducing Alabama Athletic Attendance Reward Program- atend FIVE events between Alabama soccer and volleyball to receive your FREE "I'm a part of THE PROCESS" sunglass strap, and be entered for a drawing to win an iPad.
Who to Watch
Alabama junior goalkeeper Justine Bernier returns in between the pipes for the Crimson Tide in 2010. The Canadian international is coming off a stellar 2009 campaign in which she paced the Southeastern Conference in saves per game (6.44) and ranked second in total saves (116). Bernier enters the season with some career records in reach. The 5-10 keeper is just three shutouts shy of tying the top mark of 12 in school history held by Laura Lowman. Bernier is 40 saves away from tying the 301 mark set by Amy Pseja.
Scouting Samford
Samford head coach Todd Yelton's squad fell just short of reaching the NCAA Tournament last season as the Bulldogs were defeated in penalty kicks, 6-5, by the College of Charleston in the semifinal round of the SoCon Tournament. Despite not reaching its ultimate goal in 2009, Samford finished the campaign with a 12-1-5 overall record, its best in school history. The Bulldogs also tallied a 7-1-3 SoCon mark and finished the season as the second-place team in the talent-laden league. In the SoCon preseason coaches poll Samford was slated to finish second in the league, its highest preseason nod in school history. The Bulldogs' junior goalkeeper Alyssa Whitehead was named to the elite 11-player preseason All-SoCon team. Whitehead, who is one of Samford's seven returning starters this season, finished the 2009 campaign as the No. 1-ranked goalkeeper in the nation in goals-against average (0.31) and third in the nation in save percentage (0.91).
Series History
Alabama and Samford will be meeting for the third time in school history on Friday. The two teams have split the series, both earning a win on their own pitch. Last season the Bulldogs downed the Crimson Tide 3-0 on Aug. 28. The last meeting in Tuscaloosa was the year prior, when the Tide earned a 1-0 win on Sept. 12. Then a sophomore, Rosaly Petriello set up the game-winner that was finished by Jessica Deegan. Kara Gudmens earned the shutout, making seven saves in the win.
Exhibition Recap
The Alabama soccer team started off its unofficial season on the right foot as the Crimson Tide earned victories in both of its matches. Alabama opened the exhibition slate with a 3-0 win against Tennessee Tech in Chattanooga and then capped off the schedule with a 3-1 win over Mercer in Atlanta. The Tide created numerous chances over the two matches with six different players finding the back of the net. On top of the 6-1 scoring margin over the preseason slate, Alabama out-shot its opponents 44-12 and kept constant pressure on its opponents defensive third.
Last Season Recap
The Alabama soccer team finished 6-11-1 overall and 2-8-1 in Southeastern Conference play, missing a bid to the conference tournament in Orange Beach. The losing season was the first in the career of head coach Todd Bramble. The season was highlighted by the Red Raider Classic tournamennt title with Alabama earning a thrilling overtime victory over host Texas Tech and a 1-0 shutout over TCU. Individually Tide goalkeeper Justine Bernier earned conference accolades as she was named to the All-SEC second-team on strength of ranking second in the league in total saves (116) and first in saves per game (6.44). Victoria Frederick led the team in points with 10 and also paced the squad with four goals while adding two assists. Rosaly Petriello led the team with three assists.
Senior Leaders
With a team that features 20 underclassmen the five seniors will be looked upon to provide the leadership. Kelly King, Rosaly Petriello, Brooke Rogers, Hailey Hull and Victoria Frederick look to cap off their careers at Alabama and in doing so will be leaned on to lead the young squad. Between the five of them they have played in 207 career games. Petriello, Rogers and Frederick have played in more than 50 career games each.
Alabama Welcomes 11 Newcomers
Alabama head coach Todd Bramble welcomes 11 newcomers to the squad for 2010. Of the 11 newcomers, nine are freshmen and two are transfers. The Duffy sisters, K.K. and Meghan, come to the Capstone after starting their careers at Clemson. K.K. played two seasons for the Tigers while her younger sister finished her rookie campaign last year. Nine freshmen enter the fold as well as they come from six different states, spanning from coast-to-coast. The 30-player roster is the largest under the direction of Bramble.
16 Return for 2010
19 players found time on the pitch in 2009 and 16 return for the 2010 campaign. Of the 16 that return, 13 earned starts. Victoria Frederick, Ashley Willis, Kaitlyn Smith and Justine Bernier started in every contest they played in last season. Coach Bramble also has the luxury of the return of Carly Mygrants, who missed the entire 2009 season due to injury. Mygrants played in all 20 games in 2008 and earned 17 starts.
Offensive Returners
Alabama head coach Todd Bramble returns the majority of his attack in 2010. The Crimson Tide returns 79 percent of its goal-scoring and 82 percent of its assists. Leading scorer Victoria Frederick returns for her senior campaign as she led the squad with 10 points and four goals. Fellow senior Rosaly Petriello paced the team with three assists and added two goals. The only offensive losses for Alabama is the three goals and assist from Kelsey King and a single helper from Alex Butera.
Alabama Picked Fourth in Coaches Poll
The Alabama soccer team was predicted to finish fourth in the SEC Western Division as voted on by the conference coaches. Auburn was slated to win the division, earning six first-place votes while LSU and Mississippi garnered four and two first place votes, respectively. All 12 conference coaches predicted Florida to win the conference title in 2010.
Alabama Soccer Stadium Facelift
The Alabama Soccer Stadium has a new look in 2010 as it will feature one of the largest video boards in the country. The former video board from the scoreboard at Bryant-Denny Stadium now has a permanent home at the soccer complex. The scoreboard will feature a video introduction, instant replays and much more. The stadium will also feature new graphics along the side of the playing surface and throughout the complex.
Follow the Crimson Tide
Fans now have more options than ever to follow the Crimson Tide soccer team. All Alabama home games except televised contests will be streamed live and free of charge on TideTV with Jordan Eichenblatt calling the action. Fans can also follow coach Bramble and the Crimson Tide on Twitter as well.
Next Time Out
Alabama will continue to face off against in-state opponents when it heads to Birmingham to play UAB. The two teams will meet on Sunday, Aug. 22 at 6:00 p.m.at West Campus Field. The Crimson Tide will then return home for a single contest next week as it will face Furman on Saturday, Aug. 28.
