Alabama
1-0-0, 0-0-0
Saint Louis
0-1-0, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Saint Louis | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Late Penalty Kick Gives Alabama Soccer 2-1 Win in Wednesday’s Season Opener vs. Saint Louis
8/12/2026 10:39:00 PM | Soccer
Senior Larkin Thomason’s penalty kick in the 88th minute secured the win
ST. LOUIS – Senior Larkin Thomason's go-ahead goal on a penalty kick in the 88th minute ultimately secured the 2-1 win in Wednesday's season opener for Alabama soccer over Saint Louis.
Alabama (1-0-0) scored first as Ashley Roni tapped in the ball for a goal off a long pass from Paige Thompson in the eighth minute. Saint Louis (0-1-0) held the advantage in shots in the first half along with six corners, but the Billikens could not even the score as the teams went into their locker rooms at half with the Crimson Tide in front 1-0. Alabama was aggressive in its scoring third to start the second half but could not increase its lead. In the 83rd minute, Saint Louis evened up the score at 1-1 on a penalty kick after a Tide foul in the box, which was upheld after review.
With less than three minutes remaining on the clock, a Saint Louis handball in the box gave Alabama a chance to respond with its own penalty kick opportunity and Thomason found the bottom right corner of the net to put the Tide ahead 2-1. The Billikens could not mount their own late comeback as Alabama held on for the season-opening win.
From Head Coach Wes Hart
"That was a great way to start the season! It wasn't the prettiest game, but I thought we had some good moments. Credit to Saint Louis, they made it very hard on us. That's a good team and a tough place to play. It was disappointing to give the PK away with seven minutes left, but what an incredible response from our team!"
Larkin with the PK for the lead!!!
— Alabama Soccer (@AlabamaSoccer) August 13, 2026
ESPN+: https://t.co/UzebZx5Ikd#RollTide pic.twitter.com/Aj4SfOORAe
Highlights
- Alabama has now won its season opener in each of the last seven seasons, with the last two coming on the road
- Larkin Thomason is now 7-for-7 on her career in penalty kicks, going 3-for-3 in each of the last two seasons
- Ashley Roni scored Alabama's first goal of the 2026 season, repeating the same feat from last year as she also scored the first goal in in 2025 opener against Louisiana Tech (Aug. 14)
Scoring Summary
- 8' | Ashley Roni tapped in the goal off a long pass from Paige Thompson (1-0)
- 83' | The Billikens knotted it up on a penalty kick (1-1)
- 88' | Larkin Thomason gave Alabama the lead back on a late penalty kick (2-1)
Up Next
- Saturday, Aug. 15 at No. 21 Memphis – Memphis, Tenn. – 7 p.m. CT
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Ashley Roni (1)
Assisted By: Paige Thompson
GOAL by ALA Roni, Ashley Assist by Thompson, Paige.
07:36
Jeanette Fieldsend
SLU Jeanette Fieldsend PENALTY KICK GOAL.
82:32
Larkin Thomason
ALA Larkin Thomason PENALTY KICK GOAL.
87:56
