Alabama-Middle Tennessee Battle to 2-2 Draw

Sunday, August 31

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

7:00 p.m

Alabama

2-1-1

Middle Tennessee

1-1-1

OT 3

OT 4

Alabama

Middle Tennessee

Alabama-Middle Tennessee Battle to 2-2 Draw

8/31/2014 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Aug. 31, 2014

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Alabama battled Middle Tennessee to a 2-2 draw on Sunday night in women's soccer action on Sunday night. The Crimson Tide twice held a one-goal lead, but could not secure the victory in the end.

Senior midfielder Theresa Diederich recorded a goal and an assist on the night, while Laura Lee Smith also found the back of the net on the contest.

After a scoreless first half, Alabama (2-1-1) scored only 10 seconds into the second half to grab a 1-0 lead. Diederich's tally, her second of the season, was assisted by defender Auburn Mercer.

Middle Tennessee (1-1-1) responded just 3:24 later, at the 48:34 mark, when Grace Summers scored the first of two goals off an assist from Kathy Thomas.

The score remained that way until the 81:25 mark when Smith scored her third goal of the year when she finished a cross from Diederich, giving the Tide a 2-1 lead.

However, the Blue Raiders needed only 15 seconds to even things up, when Summers stuck a shot from 30 yards out that beat UA keeper Kat Stratton.

Alabama had several solid chances in the overtimes, but failed to find the golden goal.

For the second straight game, the Tide recorded 24 shots and outshot Middle Tennessee, 24-15, including a 17-8 advantage in shots on goal. However, MTSU goalkeeper Kelsey Brouwer made 14 saves on the night to keep her team in the game. Stratton finished with six stops in the tie.

Senior Merel van Dongen and freshman Lacey Clarida led all players with five shots, while Smith and Diederich finished with four.

The Tide will return to action with a pair of home games this weekend. Alabama will welcome No. 2-ranked Virginia on Friday night, which will mark the highest ranked team to ever play at the Alabama Soccer Complex. Alabama will then welcome Jacksonville State on Sunday night. Both matches will kick off at 7 p.m. CT and will air on SECN+.

Get all the latest information on the team by following AlabamaSoccer on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. General athletic news can also be found @UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.