Soccer to Host Clemson in Exhibition Match
8/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 12, 2011
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama soccer team will put its two weeks of training to the test when it welcomes Clemson to Tuscaloosa for its lone exhibition match of the preseason. The two teams will meet on Sunday, Aug. 14, at 6 p.m., at the Alabama Soccer Stadium.
"This will be an opportunity for us to learn," Alabama head coach Todd Bramble said. "We will evaluate with the first group we put out there what their level of fitness is like. We need to know how long they can play at a high level and where we are right now going into the season."
The Crimson Tide will have suited up 17 times for training, including six double-days before facing the Tigers. Clemson plays host to South Florida on Friday in its first of two exhibition matches.
"We need to know who the people are that we bring into the game in a reserve role and are going to be able to execute their role and not let the level drop," Bramble added. "As a coaching staff, we have to pick out what our tactics are going to be for that game and see how well the players can carry that out in a game situation. It's obviously going to have a much different feel than anything we can replicate in training."
Alabama finished the 2010 season 8-8-2 overall and 3-6-2 in Southeastern Conference play, just missing out on the SEC Tournament in Orange Beach. The .500 finish is the second in three years under Bramble, who enters his fourth season at the Capstone.
Bramble will welcome his former squad to Tuscaloosa as the manager led the Tigers to seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances en route to posting an 80-51-17 overall record at Clemson.
The Tigers will showcase their second coach since Bramble left the program, as Eddie Radwanski takes over the bench duties after spending 10 seasons as the head coach at North Carolina at Greensboro. Clemson finished 6-13 overall and 0-10 in ACC play last season.
