Alabama
1-1-0, 0-0-0
North Texas
0-2-0, 0-0-0
No. 20 Alabama Tops North Texas 2-1 in Exciting Saturday Night Thriller
8/17/2024 10:40:00 PM | Soccer
After North Texas tied the game in the 80th minute, Gianna Paul fired a shot into the lower left corner of the goal to give the Crimson Tide the victory
DENTON, Texas – With an exciting late-game rally, the No. 20 Alabama soccer team (1-1-0) posted a 2-1 road victory over North Texas (0-2-0) Saturday night.
Kiley Kukan netted her first collegiate goal in the 21st minute to give Alabama an early lead in the match. The Tide would hold that lead until the 80th minute when UNT's Summer Brown found the Mean Green's tying goal. Alabama delivered the response just a minute later with Gianna Paul driving a low, bouncing ball into the lower left corner of the net.
From Head Coach Wes Hart
"Not the prettiest game, but a great result! UNT was not an easy opponent to play on a day's rest in 100-degree temps. Proud of the grit and resiliency our team showed tonight. To give up a late goal and respond the way we did was awesome! We will take the win and get out of Texas. I'm excited to get back to Tuscaloosa and play at home Thursday night."
Game Notes
- Kukan notched her first collegiate goal after Leah Kunde's cross found Nedya Sawan in front of the goal
- Sawan laid the ball off to Kukan, who rolled the ball to her left foot before firing it into the upper left corner of the goal
- Alabama would continue to dominate the first half, leading 7-5 in shots and 4-0 in corner kicks
- The start of the second half was evenly paced as both teams found chances at net
- UA continued to hold its lead until the 80th minute when a foul 10 yards in UNT's territory set goalkeeper Maddie Ogden up to play a long ball into the box
- Bailey Wesco was able to send the ball over to Brown to fire towards goal
- Just over a minute later, Sawan took advantage of a turnover at the top of the Mean Green's box and found the feet of Paul who was running towards goal
- Paul took a touch before sending her shot into the lower left corner of the net
Next
- Alabama will host North Alabama in its home opener on Aug. 22
- The Thursday night match kicks off at 7 p.m. CT and will be streamed on SEC Network+
-UA-
Team Stats
Kiley Kukan (1)
Assisted By: Nedya Sawan , Leah Kunde
GOAL by ALA Kukan, Kiley Assist by Sawan, Nedya and Kunde, Leah.
20:12
Summer Brown (1)
Assisted By: Bailey Wesco , Maddie Ogden
GOAL by UNT Brown, Summer Assist by Wesco, Bailey and Ogden, Maddie.
79:21
Gianna Paul (1)
Assisted By: Nedya Sawan
GOAL by ALA Paul, Gianna Assist by Sawan, Nedya.
80:53
