Alabama
7-8-0, 3-4-0SEC
LSU
6-8-1, 1-5-1SEC
Alabama Soccer Wins SEC Road Game Over LSU, 2-1
10/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
In a pivotal Southeastern Conference game for both Alabama and LSU Friday night, the Tide came away with a hard fought 2-1 win.
For 94:00 Alabama (7-8, 3-4 SEC) and LSU (6-8-1, 1-5-1) played about as even as possible. But for six minutes in the middle of the second half, the game became a shoot-out filled with plenty of excitement and included all three of the game's goals.
The game-winner came at the 62:18 mark of the game when Alabama captain Rebecca Baker scored her second goal of the year from just inside the top of box. The assist came from Libby Probst. It was her second of the game.
"I'm proud that we showed the ability to answer after they tied the game up," said Alabama head coach Don Staley. "Baker did the same thing she did last time we played here, picked up a big goal."
Baker's goal capped off the game's most intense minutes. The scoring streak started with 33:26 left in the second half. Probst found herself on the attack and launched a shot from the right side of the box. The shot cleared the reach of LSU goal keeper Valerie Volger but bounced off the cross bar. Luckily, Jordan O'Banion was in the right place at the right time and found the back of the net for her eighth goal of the season. It put Alabama up 1-0.
However, the lead didn't last long for Alabama. LSU's Caroline Vanderpool tied the game at 61:54.
Baker's winning goal came just 24 seconds later.
Again Friday night Alabama turned in a stellar defensive effort. Laura Lowman stopped eight of night shots on goal, including two key saves in the second half when she stepped out of the net and prevented LSU"s Artie Brown from getting a good look at the goal. Emily Pitek marked Brown all night long. Brown, one of the SEC's best strikers, finished the game with 4 shots-on-goal but not a single point.
"Lowman was maligned early in the year," said Staley, "but tonight she shined again and kept us in this game. Pitek played her heart out and shutdown one of the best strikers in the league. It was a team effort."
Lowman's eight saves was season high.
For the sixth time in seven SEC games, and seventh time in its last eight games, Alabama was held scoreless in the first half. The Tide didn't let the half end however, without getting several good looks at the net.
Early in the first half, Alabama's Emily Pitek dribbled around an LSU defender and managed to fire a shot to the upper left corner of the goal. However, Volger made a spectacular diving save to keep the Tide off the board early.
The win gives Alabama nine points in the race towards the SEC tournament.
Alabama will travel to Fayetteville, Ark. to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks on Sunday afternoon. The game is set to kick-off at 1 p.m.
Team Stats
Jordan O'Banion (8)
Assisted By: Libby Probst
Scored off of a rebound shot
56:34
Vanderpool, Caroline (1)
61:54
Rebecca Baker (2)
Assisted By: Libby Probst
Shot from 20 yards out
62:18
