Alabama Soccer Takes on Ole Miss on Friday
10/6/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
 |
|
After a weekend on the road, the University of Alabama (5-7, 1-3) soccer team returns home Friday night to battle the Ole Miss Rebels (6-6, 2-2) at 6:30 p.m.
Despite dropping two games on the road last weekend, Alabama will begin the weekend just one point out of a Southeastern Conference tournament berth. The Tide will look to snap its two-game losing streak when the Rebels come to town in a game is always filled with excitement.
“The Alabama vs. Ole Miss game is always a spirited one,” said Alabama head coach Don Staley. “We expect nothing different Friday night.”
The all-time series between the two programs is tied at 5-5, although Ole Miss has won three in a row.
“We respect what Steve Holeman has put together and the program he has built,” said Staley. “He has one of the top players in the league in Kristal Menard. We’ll have to play our best game.”
Alabama’s conference record may not show it, but the Tide has played good soccer over the last four games. The defense has played as well as it has all year and has allowed more than one goal just once. All three of Alabama’s losses in the SEC have come by a 1-0 score. Coach Staley feels his team can compete with anyone in the league but knows his team must find a way to score to take pressure off the defense.
“We have played really good soccer and our defense is keeping us in games,” said Staley, “we just have to take advantage of our opportunities when we get them. We have to cash in.”
Friday night will be a special night at the Alabama Soccer Stadium. The game will be televised by FSN South. It will be the first televised game at the new stadium. It is also YMCA night and first 200 fans will receive Alabama mesh caps.
On August 27, the second-largest crowd in Alabama history of 1,107 witnessed the Crimson Tide defeat Alabama A&M. The Tide is 4-1 in front of a home crowd of more than 1,000 and Coach Staley hopes to see improve upon that mark Friday night.
