LEXINGTON, Ky. ? Kentucky junior defender Kristin Moyer, and particularly, her head, came through in the clutch for the second time in as many matches, as the Cats claimed a thrilling 1-0 victory over Alabama Friday evening at the UK Soccer Complex. Moyer netted a game-winning 89th-minute header off of a Courtney McCrudden corner kick to send Alabama to defeat five days after heading in an 86th-minute corner kick at Arkansas to rescue the Cats from their fifth loss. As a result, Kentucky?s unbeaten streak remains in tact at six matches, matching its high from 2003.
Alabama appeared poised to take a 1-0 lead 17 minutes into the match when the Tide?s Jordan O?Banion broke free for a one-on-one scoring opportunity against Kentucky goalkeeper Liz Butler. O?Banion approached Butler through the middle of the box and sent a low line drive toward the goal, but Butler, having emerged several yards outside of the goal, made a quick stop and forced an unproductive corner kick. Kentucky went on to outshoot Alabama five to three in the first half and produced five corner kicks, but the Cats failed to register a legitimate scoring opportunity.
Kentucky dominated possession in the second half and created eight corner-kick opportunities to none for the Crimson Tide. In the 80th minute, Alabama?s Natalie Kohn had another opportunity to put the Tide on the board, but she dribbled her shot well wide of the goal. Kentucky maintained possession over the final 10 minutes and launched corner kicks in the 83rd, 85th, 87th and 88th minutes before finally connecting for the game winner in the 89th minute.
McCrudden lined up the kick from the right corner and found a familiar target in Moyer, to whom she struck a goal-producing corner kick four weeks ago at Michigan. McCrudden fired a perfect, arcing ball into the box, and Moyer headed a bouncing ball past Alabama goalkeeper Laura Lowman for her third goal of the season, each scored from a corner kick.
Alabama had once last chance to dent the net, but a pass from a Tide defender fell harmlessly into the hands of UK?s Butler, who recorded her ninth career shutout and third in the last four matches. Kentucky improves to 5-4-1 and 2-0-1 in the SEC, while Alabama drops to 5-6 and 1-2 in the conference. UK will have to go through No. 20 Auburn Sunday to extend their unbeaten streak to seven matches. The Cats and Tigers are set for a 2 p.m. EDT kickoff at the UK Soccer Complex.
