Alabama
Clemson
Soccer Downs Clemson 2-0 in Exhibition Play
8/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Aug. 14, 2011
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama soccer team unofficially opened its 2011 campaign with a 2-0 victory over Clemson in its lone exhibition match of the preseason, Sunday evening at the Alabama Soccer Stadium.
"It was nice to get a win, every time you put on the jersey you want to win" Alabama head coach Todd Bramble said. "You have to put that in perspective though as both coaches experimented with their teams. I was certainly pleased with the two goals and the shutout but there are areas that we need to keep working on."
The Crimson Tide opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when redshirt freshman Theresa Diederich buried a point-blank shot on a pass from the left side of the box by junior Ashley Willis. Willis, from her defensive position, made the long run to set up the goal.
Alabama added an insurance goal in the 68th minute when sophomore Molly Atherton bent a free kick near post from 18 yards out. After a Clemson foul, from a tough angle near the Tiger bench, Atherton was able to sneak in the strike to give the Tide the eventual 2-0 win.
Both team rallied off 10 shots, with Alabama firing off eight in the second half. Freshman Pia Rijsdijk led the Tide with three shots, putting one on frame.
Senior net-minder Justine Bernier played 75 shutout minutes before sophomore Shanna Brooks closed the door on the Tigers in the final 15.
The Tide will officially start its season when it hosts Kennesaw State. The two teams will meet on Friday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m., at the Alabama Soccer Stadium.
