Alabama
10-11
Florida
14-3-3
Alabama Soccer Falls to Florida in SEC Tournament
11/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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Playing in its first Southeastern Conference tournament game since 1998 on Thursday, Alabama lost to the Florida Gators 2-0.
“This was a tight game right up until the end,” Alabama head coach Don Staley said. “Our kids never let down. The second goal didn’t deter us and I’m proud of the way we fought.”
On defense the Crimson Tide did an excellent job of containing the SEC’s highest scoring offense, but the Gators took advantage of a quick restart 18 minutes into the game to take the early lead. After an Alabama foul in the center of the field, Florida’s Cherry Pickman wasted no time in getting the ball to the SEC’s Player of the Year Stephanie Freeman, who scored a late goal on September 26 to beat Alabama 1-0. Freeman converted on the scoring opportunity at 18:53. Freeman’s goal turned out to be her second game-winning goal against Alabama this season.
Florida carried the 1-0 lead into halftime and through most of the second half. As good as Alabama’s defense was in the opening half at shutting down the conference’s top offense, Florida’s defense played just as good in the second. Alabama could only manage two second half shots against the Gators. It was the lowest shot total for Alabama in a single half all season. Florida on the other hand out-shot the Tide 10-2 in the second half, 15-5 in the game.
The fourteenth shot of the game for the Gators put them up 2-0. Jamie Garside scored on a corner kick from Ashley Kellgren at 78:30. It was too much for Alabama to overcome.
But Alabama didn’t go out without a fight. Three of its five shots were on-goal. In the second half, Libby Probst broke away from the Florida defense but was taken down inside the box. Staley pleaded for a penalty kick, but to no avail as the official let play continue.
“We missed a few chances today. We had a breakaway there with Libby but just didn’t get the breaks we needed,” Staley said.
“It was a privilege to be a part of this team this year,” senior Rebecca Baker said. “I felt that we played hard right up until the final second. This team laid it on the line all year.
Alabama has now lost all nine games against the Gators in its history. The 2-0 loss on Thursday also marks the sixth consecutive shut-out for Florida over Alabama. However, the two games between Alabama and Florida this season were the two closest games in series history.
“None of this takes away from this team’s season,” Staley said. “This is one of the most enjoyable teams I’ve ever coached.”
Team Stats
Freeman, Stephanie (15)
Assisted By: Pickman, Cherry
Shot by #15 deflected, #9 scored off def
18:53
Garside, Jamie (2)
Assisted By: Kellgren, Ashley
Cross from 21 to 32 for the goal
78:30
