Alabama
10-8-1, 5-4-1
Auburn
11-5-1, 5-4-1
Alabama Soccer Upsets No. 19 Auburn, Earns First-Round Bye At SEC Tournament
10/28/2021 10:53:00 PM | Soccer
A late goal by Allie Berk lifted the Crimson Tide to a 1-0 upset win against No. 19 Auburn
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama soccer team (10-8-1, 5-4-1 SEC) captured a late goal from Allie Berk to upset No. 19 Auburn (11-5-1, 5-4-1 SEC), 1-0, Thursday, and clinch a first-round bye at the SEC Tournament. The win marked the first time in program history the Crimson Tide has won 10 home games in a single season.
With just over eight minutes of play remaining in regulation, Aislin Streicek worked for an opening on the left flank to put a cross into the six-yard box. Streicek's cross found the foot of Berk who was able to tap the ball into the back of the net after being left unmarked in front of the goal.
Berk's goal broke an 80-mintue stalemate between the Crimson Tide and Tigers. The Tide held the edge in the first half leading 10-8 in shots and 4-3 in corners. McKinley Crone came up with four crucial saves to keep Auburn off the board and keep the two teams scoreless heading into the break.
Auburn rallied off some early shots to start the second half. The Tigers would take the advantage in shots, 8-4, and corners, 2-1, but the Alabama defense held Auburn to just one shot on goal in the second 45 minutes of play. Alabama found its go-ahead-goal in the 81st minute as some fancy footwork from Streicek cleared some space for a pass to Berk, who pulled away from the Auburn defense.
Next stop the SEC Tournament ????#RollTide pic.twitter.com/HgSSVvvT2u
— Alabama Soccer (@AlabamaSoccer) October 29, 2021
FROM HEAD COACH WES HART
"Massive win on so many levels. A win versus Auburn and the Iron Bowl trophy, tie for fifth place in the SEC, a first-round bye at the SEC Tournament and a top-20 RPI win for our NCAA resume.
"We had our best performance of the season when we needed it the most. So many players stepped up and rose to the occasion. I'm so incredibly happy for the girls. They earned this one. They can sleep well knowing the Iron Bowl trophy is staying in T-Town another year."
UP NEXT
The Crimson Tide will make its 14th appearance at the SEC Tournament after earning a first-round bye with tonight's win. Alabama will enter the tournament as the sixth seed and will play third-seeded Ole Miss Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 2:30 p.m. CT.
BEHIND THE BOX SCORE
- Alabama won the Iron Bowl of soccer trophy in back-to-back years for the first time since its four-year run between 1996-99
- The win set a program record for most home wins in a single season with 10
- The team concluded the year on a seven-game run at home
- Alabama upset its second top-25 opponent with the win over No. 19 Auburn. UA also beat No. 24 LSU earlier in the season.
- Alabama clinched a first-round bye at the SEC Tournament and will enter as the sixth seed
- Allie Berk scored her second goal of the season and second goal of her career as Aislin Streicek posted her second assist this season
- McKinley Crone recorded her 10th career shutout at UA, moving to sixth all-time in program history
- Crone now has 133 saves at Alabama, ninth most in program history
Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaSoccer on Twitter and Facebook and AlabamaSoccer on Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
–UA–
Team Stats
Allie Berk (2)
Assisted By: Aislin Streicek
Cross from the left from Streicek to Berk inside the six for the tap in
81:44
