Soccer Downs Georgia, 2-1, in SEC Home Opener

Friday, September 21

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

7:00 p.m

Alabama

6-2-1, 1-1-1SEC

Georgia

5-4-1, 1-1-1SEC

Georgia

Alabama

Katie Bourgeois scored her team-leading seventh goal on Friday night.

Soccer Downs Georgia, 2-1, in SEC Home Opener

9/21/2012 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Sept. 21, 2012

Box Score | Photo Gallery

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - In the span of four minutes the Alabama Soccer team was able to secure its first victory over Georgia since 2004 as it downed the Bulldogs, 2-1, Friday night in front of 1,102 fans at the Alabama Soccer Stadium. With the win, the Crimson Tide improve to 6-2-1 overall and 1-1-1 in Southeastern Conference play.

After an even first half, Alabama quickly seized the momentum of the match. Within the first four minutes of the period, the Tide scorched the back of the net twice.

Freshman Katie Bourgeois got the scoring going just over a minute in as the newcomer buried a through ball from sophomore Pia Rijsdijk and beat Ashley Baker far post for her team-leading seventh goal on the season.

Rijsdijk would set up another Alabama goal just two minutes later as she split the Bulldog defense once again, this time finding junior Molly Atherton, who ripped her fourth goal of the year. After the two helpers, Rijsdijk now has three on the season.

Georgia then pulled within one when Meghan Gibbons bent a one-on-one opportunity around Tide keeper Shelby Church in the 56th minute. Gibbons took a Nikki Hill pass on the near sideline and recorded the goal from 16 yards out.

Georgia outshot Alabama, 15-13, with Madeline Barker leading all players with four tallies. Bourgeois, Rijsdijk and Atherton paced the Tide with three shots apiece.

Church allowed the one goal and made three saves while Baker tallied a match high seven saves in the losing effort. Church has allowed one goal or less in seven contests this season.

Alabama will continue play on its home pitch when it welcomes Mississippi for a Sunday SEC matinee on Sept. 23. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m., at the Alabama Soccer Stadium.