Soccer Continues SEC Play Against Kentucky
9/24/2011 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Sept. 24, 2011
| Match #10 | Alabama (6-2-1, 1-0 SEC) vs. Kentucky (7-2-0, 0-1 SEC) | |
| Date | Sunday, Sept. 25 | 1 p.m. CT |
| Location | Tuscaloosa, Ala. | Alabama Soccer Stadium (1,500) |
| Tickets | Free Admission |
| Television | None |
| Radio | WVUA-FM 90.7 - Tuscaloosa (Josh Zavadil) | Listen Live |
| Live Stats | GameTracker |
| Streaming Video | TideTV |
| Game Notes | Alabama Notes  | Opponent Notes |
| All-Time Series | Kentucky Leads, 9-4-1 |
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama soccer team (6-2-1, 1-0-0 SEC) continues its opening weekend of Southeastern Conference play when it hosts Kentucky (7-2-0, 0-1-0 SEC) on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 1 p.m. The Crimson Tide opened the league slate with a 2-0 win over Vanderbilt while the Wildcats fell to Auburn, 4-1, on Friday night.
LAST TIME OUT
Alabama started SEC play in impressive fashion as it downed Vanderbilt, 2-0, on Friday night. Sophomore Molly Atherton scored her first career goal while freshman Pia Rijsdijk recorded her second goal in as many games to lift the Tide over the Commodores. Senior goalkeeper Justine Bernier tallied her fourth shutout of the season on the strength of 10 saves just 24 hours after suiting up for Team Canada.
WHO TO WATCH
Alabama freshman forward Pia Rijsdijk has been on the creating end of goals for Alabama, but has now found the scoring touch. In the last two matches the Netherlands native has torched the back of the net, scoring the game-winner against Morehead State and adding an insurance goal in the SEC opener against Vanderbilt on Friday. On the season the rookie has tallied five points on two goals and an assist.
SCOUTING KENTUCKY
Kentucky enters Tuscaloosa with a 7-2 overall record and a 0-1 mark in league play after dropping its last two matches. The Wildcats opened SEC play with a lopsided, 4-1 loss at Auburn after losing their first match of the season last weekend at No. 24 Dayton, 2-1. The Wildcats are led by junior forward Kelsey Hunyadi, who has five goals and five assists for 15 points. Hunyadi leads the team with 30 shots, helping Kentucky rank second in the SEC with 133 shots taken. Seven Wildcat players have taken more than 10 shots. Kayla Price has started all nine games in goal, recording three shutouts and an 1.13 goals against average. Kentucky is coached by Jon Lipsitz, who is in his third year at Kentucky. Lipsitz has a 123-52-12 overall record.
SERIES HISTORY
Kentucky leads the series 9-4-1 after beating the Tide 3-1 last season in Lexington. After a scoreless first half, all four goals were scored in the second period of play. In the last meeting at home, Alabama defeated Kentucky 2-0. The Tide is 3-2-1 all-time against the Wildcats in Tuscaloosa.
STINGY DEFENSE
The Crimson Tide defense has only given up six goals in nine matches this season, while posting four shutouts. Alabama has allowed one goal or less in eight of the nine matches this year. A large part of this is due to the Tide starting defenders, with three of the starters having played nearly every minute on the season. They are led by senior K.K. Duffy, who has played a team-high 830 minutes, as well as senior goalie Justine Bernier, who has a 0.63 goals against average. Bernier is coming off a season-high 10 saves against Vanderbilt.
WILLIS' NAMED TO TEAM OF WEEK
Alabama junior defender Ashley Willis was named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Week for the past week. Willis earns the honor after scoring goals in back-to-back matches, leading the Crimson Tide to three straight wins. Willis scored in the second minute of the match against Morehead State on Sunday. The goal was her second in as many matches as the outside back scored her first career goal in a 1-0 win against UAB last week. The Colorado Springs, Colo., native is second on the team in minutes played, logging 90 or more minutes in seven straight matches. Willis is third on the team with five points on two goals and an assist. Willis becomes the first Tide player to earn the honor this season. Alabama goalkeeper Justine Bernier nabbed the weekly honor last year.
SCORING FROM NEW PLACES
Alabama has had goals scored from some new faces in the last three matches. In the last three wins, three different players have recorded their first career goals. In the 1-0 win against UAB, junior Ashley Willis found the net for the first time in her career while in the win against Morehead State, newcomer Pia Rijsdijk tallied the game-winner. In the blanking of Vanderbilt on Friday, sophomore Molly Atherton bended her way to the scoresheet, scoring the game-winner on a brilliant corner kick.
ALUMNI WEEKEND
The Alabama Soccer Stadium will welcome back the alumni this weekend. Over 35 former players are slated to be in attendance for both matches this weekend. Also K.K. Duffy and Carly Mygrants are scheduled to be recognized this weekend for their senior days. Duffy will be showcased on Friday night against Vanderbilt while Mygrants will be honored before the Kentucky kickoff.
BERNIER RETURNS FROM TEAM CANADA
Once again Alabama goalkeeper Justine Bernier got the call to play for Team Canada. Bernier, an Oakville, Ontario native joined the club for two international friendly matches against Team USA. Due to the schedule Bernier was a busy keeper, having to travel across the country in a 24-hour span to return to the Crimson Tide for its match against Vanderbilt. On little sleep the senior recorded her fourth shutout of the season and tallied a season-high 10 saves against the Commodores on Friday night.
RECORD WATCH
Alabama goalkeeper Justine Bernier has already etched her name in the record books in numerous categories and is looking for more in her final season at the Capstone. Bernier earned her 25th career victory in goal, moving her into sole possession of second place in the career annals. Tide great Amy Pseja holds the record with 30 career wins. Bernier has extended her career records in saves (383) and shutouts (18).
NEXT WEEK
Alabama will hit the road after its longest homestand of the season as it will travel to the state of Mississippi for two matches. The Crimson Tide will open the road trip against Mississippi State on Friday, Sept. 30, and then face Mississippi on Sunday, Oct. 2, in Oxford.
