Alabama Soccer Loses to Chattanooga in Overtime, 2-1

Sunday, September 12

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:00 p.m

Alabama

3-3

Chattanooga

4-0

OT 2

UTC

Alabama

Alabama Soccer Loses to Chattanooga in Overtime, 2-1

9/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Sunday, September 12, 2004

Laura Lowman

» Box Score

Two days after Alabama (3-3) dedicated its new stadium and ran its record to 2-0 at home; the Crimson Tide dropped the first overtime match to be played in its new home to Chattanooga (4-0), 2-1.

In the 98:00 of the game, the Mocs' Diana Jallo blasted a prayer from 35 feet out that just crept over the outstretched hands of Alabama goal keeper and six-foot tall Laura Lowman. It looked as though the shot would clear the cross-bar, but instead snuck just inside. The goal gave Chattanooga the win and was Jallo's second goal of the game.

"Chattanooga played a heck of a game," Alabama head coach Don Staley said. "It was a disappointing loss and we have our work cut out for us."

Jallo's game-winning goal in overtime was big, but it capped off a 10 minute span covering the end of regulation and the extra period where Jallo found the back of the net twice to put her team on top.

With 1:40 showing in regulation, Jallo, isolated on the left side of the box, received a pass from Megan Chismark and crossed a shot to the right side of the goal and beat Lowman. The goal tied the game at 1-1 and sent the game into overtime.

Once in overtime the game was played mostly in Chattanooga's zone as Alabama found itself on the attack. The Tide had two corner kicks and one near miss that almost gave Alabama the win. Instead, Jallo's shot from 35 yards out gave Chattanooga the victory and dropped the Tide to .500 on the year.

Prior to Jallo's goal at the end of regulation, Alabama had played 268 minutes without allowing a goal at home this year. Chattanooga scored two goals within 10 minutes Sunday.

With Sunday's defeat, all three of Alabama's losses this year have come in the final minutes and four of the eight goals allowed by the Tide in 2004 have come within the game's final five minutes.

"This program over the last 10 years has always known how to finish a game, a half and hold a lead, but so far this year we haven't been able to do that," Staley said.

On paper it looks as though Alabama dominated the game. In fact most of the game was played on Chattanooga's side of the field with the Tide putting on pressure. Staley's squad out-shot Chattanooga 17 to 12 on the afternoon, but could only manage a six to five advantage in shots-on-goal.

"We have to be more fit in the second half and I'd like for us to have more fluid play and better communication," Staley said.

All the scoring in Sunday's game came after halftime. Alabama didn't get on the board until 62:09 when Libby Probst scored her third goal in four games. Gillian Kilburn took a corner kick from the left side and floated one towards the goal where Rebecca Baker redirected the ball with a header and Probst cleaned it up for the score. Alabama led 1-0.

Alabama will return to action Friday, September 17 as it plays host to Alabama-Birmingham. The game will start at 7 p.m. The Tide will also be at home on Sunday, September 19 to play Jacksonville State at 1 p.m. Next weekend's slate of games will mark the final weekend of non-conference play.

PHOTO GALLERY

Game Chattanooga 01
Jordan O'Banion fights for the ball.
(Photo by Dusty Compton)