Alabama Soccer Uses Late Rally to Beat JSU, 3-2

Sunday, September 19

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:00 p.m

Alabama

4-3

Jacksonville State

3-5

OT 3

OT 4

JSU

Alabama

Alabama Soccer Uses Late Rally to Beat JSU, 3-2

9/19/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Sunday, September 19, 2004

Katie French

» Box Score

The University of Alabama soccer team needed late heroics Sunday afternoon and got just that to pull past in-state foe Jacksonville State in double overtime, 3-2.

After playing a scoreless overtime period, Alabama and JSU carried a 2-2 tie into a second overtime where Hayley MacDonald picked up the game-winning goal in the 103rd minute. Just six minutes away from the game ending in a tie, sophomore Gillian Kilburn fired a cross from the left corner that brushed the cross-bar and bounced back to MacDonald who headed it in for the score.

"It was gut-check time," said MacDonald.

Alabama entered the second half trailing JSU 2-0. It was the second consecutive game that Alabama had been held without a first half goal at home, after scoring at will in its first two home games. But the Tide had been in this situation before versus American and fought back in the second half to tie up the game. This time would be no different.

However, for the first 20:00 of the second half, the outlook wasn't good for Alabama. That's when senior Katie French came in off the bench and sparked the Tide. After winning a loose a lose ball, French and teammate Libby Probst worked together down the right side of the field in front of the Alabama bench on a two-on-two breakaway. French would eventually set up Probst for a shot that cleared the reach of JSU goal keeper Amanda Stephens to get Alabama on the board.

"French really came in and ignited things for us," said Alabama head coach Don Staley. "She showed why she's one of the best passers in school history and her experience really came through for us today."

The assist for French was her 15th career and ties her for the school's all-time assist record with Melissa McGee. For Probst, the goal was her fourth on the year and fourth in five games.

From there, Alabama woke up and increased its intensity level. For the next 15:00, the game was played with Alabama on the attack and the Tide saw themselves with numerous opportunities to tie the game, but just couldn't capitalize. However, with just under 10:00 left on the clock, Alabama's Chelsea Stang took a throw in from the right side of the field, lofted it high into the box where it caromed off a wall of JSU bodies and into the net.

"This team had heart today," said Staley. "I know that is clich? but it is true. They had one heartbeat, everybody from the starters to the bench. They all came together and stayed in the game."

The late goal pushed the game into overtime where Alabama pulled off the victory in double overtime. The game for Alabama was also its second straight overtime affair. The Tide is now 1-1 in overtime. The Gamecocks fall to 2-2 in overtime.

Tuesday night, the Tide will return to action at home against UAB at 7 p.m. to make up Friday night's game, postponed by Hurricane Ivan. It will be Alabama's final contest before opening up conference play against Florida on Friday, September 24 at home.

PHOTO GALLERY

Game Jax State 01
Gillian Kilburn works the ball downfield.
(Photo by Jeff Hanson)