Alabama Downs Hogs 3-1, Staley Notches 300th Victory

Sunday, October 17

Fayettville, Ark.

1:00 p.m

Alabama

8-8-0 (4-4-0SEC)

Arkansas

6-8-2 (2-4-2SEC)

Alabama

ARK

Alabama Downs Hogs 3-1, Staley Notches 300th Victory

10/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Sunday, October 17, 2004

Coach Don Staley

» Box Score

Alabama captured lightning in a bottle Sunday afternoon at Arkansas, scoring three goals in the game's first eight minutes and rolling to a 3-1 victory. The win also gives Alabama head coach Don Staley his 300th career win.

Gillian Kilburn led the way for Alabama with two goals in the game. She got the Crimson Tide rolling just 3:34 into the action when she wrapped a shot around Arkansas goal keeper Carrie Dillsaver for the early 1-0 lead.

Minutes later, Chelsea Stang's free kick was headed in by Arkansas' Andrea Sparks and Alabama lead 2-0. Kilburn then kept the momentum flowing in Alabama's direction when she took a pass from Allison DeLisle off a free kick and put in the back of the net. The Tide led 3-0 at the 7:59 mark of the game.

"Coach told us that he wanted us to attack early and we executed almost to perfection," said Kilburn. "I've been working on my shot and luckily I got them to bend in for the goals."

The scoreboard reflected Alabama's domination early. During the time that Alabama put the ball in the net three times, the Razorbacks only advanced across the centerline once. But Arkansas's intensity increased late in the first half as they scored off Katie Taylor's header just before halftime to cut the lead to 3-1.

In the second half, the Razorbacks came out looking to attack and tried to fight its way back into the game. But Alabama's defense held strong and kept the Hogs out of the net.

Alabama goal keeper Laura Lowman made six saves on the afternoon, three in each half and played a stellar game once again in net.

For Don Staley, Sunday's win was his 300th career victory. This combines wins that he has had at Radford, as head men's and women's coach, and his 11 seasons as the head man at Alabama.

"I want to thank everyone at Alabama and Radford and everyone who has played for me," said Staley. "I want to thank my staff as well. They are the ones who have made this achievement possible."

Alabama has now won three of it last four games and pulled to .500 in the SEC with the victory. The Tide now has 12 points in the race to the SEC tournament. Only eight teams will advance to postseason play. Entering the day Alabama was in sixth place. Sunday's will win improve that position.

"The most important thing for us today was that we came away with points," said Staley.

Alabama will play its final SEC home game Friday night as it takes on the Georgia Bulldogs. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.