Alabama
5-5-0 (1-1)
South Carolina
6-5-0 (0-2)
Alabama Uses Four Second Half Goals to Beat South Carolina
9/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
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The Alabama (5-5, 1-1) soccer team scored four goals in the second half on Sunday to storm back and earn its first Southeastern Conference win of the season over the South Carolina Gamecocks (6-5, 0-2), 4-2.
The game-winning goal came from the leg of Alabama's leading scorer, Jordan O'Banion. With the score tied at 2-2 at the 76:43 mark of the game, O'Banion reversed her momentum at the top of the box and fired a shot that beat South Carolina goal keeper Laura Armstrong in the top right corner of the net. It was O'Banion's seventh goal of the season.
The Tide added another goal 2:30 later from Allison DeLisle, her second of the game, and Alabama hung on for the victory.
The Crimson Tide's four goals on Sunday are the most goals it has scored in an SEC game since a 4-1 win over Georgia on October, 4 2002.
Alabama is quickly becoming a second half team. For the third consecutive game, Alabama failed to score in the first half, but found a way to win it in the second half.
Thirteen minutes into the second half and trailing 1-0, Alabama scored its first goal in SEC competition to tie the game at 1-1. From the left side of the field, Alabama's Cally Morrill lofted a free kick into the center of the box where Alison DeLisle headed it in for the game-tying goal. But Alabama didn't have to wait long to take the lead. Less than one minute later Hayley MacDonald connected with Kylie Boyd to put Alabama in front 2-1.
"For us to come back from a 1-0 halftime deficit shows that this young team is learning from its mistakes," said Alabama head coach Don Staley who earned his 297th career victory. "South Carolina is a well coached team and they play a very good game of soccer."
While the first half was a defensive struggle, the second half was all about goals. Five of the game's six goals were scored in the final 45:00 and all came in spurts. South Carolina's Sarah Lentz scored her fourth goal of the season to tie the game at 2-2 at the 75:40 mark. It took Alabama only 1:03 seconds to respond.
The Gamecocks got on the board just 12:39 into the game with an own goal. Courtney Cobbs dribbled to the right side of the box and sent a cross to the middle of the net that deflected off Alabama's Chelsea Stang and in for a goal. South Carolina led 1-0 and carried that lead with them to halftime.
Alabama will go on the road for the first time in the SEC next weekend. The Tide will travel to Kentucky to battle the Wildcats on Friday night at 7 p.m. Sunday Alabama will be in action at Vanderbilt.
PHOTO GALLERY
Leigh Alexander gets ready to throw the ball in.
(photo by Lindsay Morrison)
Kylie Boyd sends the ball downfield.
(photo by Michelle Lepianka)
The Tide celebrates a big second half goal.
(photo by Jeff Hanson)
Allison DeLisle and Emily Pitek defend against a USC player.
(photo by Lindsay Morrison)
Natalie Kohn weaves between two defenders.
(photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Laura Lowman blocks an attempt on the goal.
(photo by Jeff Hanson)
Laura Lowman kicks the ball upfield.
(photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Haley MacDonald and Suzanne Baker celebrate a big play.
(photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Haley MacDonald battles for the ball.
(photo by Lindsay Morrison)
Cally Morrill sends one downfield.
(photo by Jeff Hanson)
Jordan O'Banion throws the ball in bounds.
(photo by Lindsay Morrison)
Jordan O'Banion works her way around a defender.
(photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Emily Pitek tries to steal the ball.
(photo by Michelle Lepianka)
Libby Probst goes up for the ball.
(photo by Jeff Hanson)
Don Staley pleads for a call.
(photo by Lindsay Morrison)
Team Stats
TEAM
#11 with cross
12:39
Allison DeLisle (2)
Morrill's free kick
58:35
Kylie Boyd (3)
Assisted By: Hayley MacDonald
open field, left side of box
58:13
Sarah Lentz (4)
Assisted By: Jessi Swaim
header off corner
75:40
Jordan O'Banion (7)
Assisted By: Libby Probst
around defender, top of box
76:43
Allison DeLisle (3)
Assisted By: Chelsea Stang
#17 throw-in
78:15
