Alabama Soccer Drops SEC Finale to Auburn, 3-1

Friday, October 29

Auburn, Ala.

7:00 p.m

Alabama

9-10-0, 5-6-0SEC

Auburn

14-2-2, 9-0-2SEC

Alabama

Auburn Tigers

Alabama Soccer Drops SEC Finale to Auburn, 3-1

10/29/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Friday, October 29, 2004

Emily Pitek

The University of Alabama women’s soccer team (9-10, 5-6 SEC) dropped a 3-1 decision to the No. 10 Auburn Tigers Friday night in the Southeastern Conference regular season finale.

Auburn (14-2-2, 9-0-2 SEC) jumped out in front early when Sara Power scored from five feet out just 5:18 into the game. Power then scored her second goal of the half at 10:39 when she beat Alabama goal-keeper Laura Lowman to the right side of the box for the 2-0 lead.

The Tigers’ Chrissy Culver put the finishing touches on a three-goal first half for Auburn at 28:18 when she took a pass from Megan Rivera and lifted a shot above Lowman at the top of the box and into an empty net.

Auburn’s defense stymied Alabama in the first half and didn’t allow many open looks at the net. The Tigers out-shot the Tide 11-3 in the first half and took a 3-0 lead to the break.

The Tide came out in the second half and found the ability to mount an attack. Emily Pitek, playing with a separated shoulder, cut the lead to 3-1 at 61:10 when she scored her second goal of the season. She was the beneficiary of a penalty kick awarded when Libby Probst was taken down from behind. Pitek’s penalty kick deflected off Megan Rivera’s hands and into the top of the net. Pitek is now two for two on penalty kicks this season.

Alabama was able to seize momentum of the game after getting on the board, but wasn’t able to draw any closer.

“The No. 10 team in the country showed up tonight and exposed us in the first half,” Alabama head coach Don Staley said. “It took us a half to get going but I’m proud of how we battled in the second half. Auburn has an outstanding team with good depth.”

Alabama will return home for Senior Day and its final regular season game against Mississippi Valley State. The Tide will then turn its attention to the SEC tournament where it will play the Florida Gators on Thursday. Alabama will enter the tournament as the No. 6 seed and will be making its first appearance in the SEC tournament since 1998.