Oct. 17, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, AL – The Wildcat offense was unable to match an aggressive Alabama team as the UK women’s soccer team (4-7-4, 1-5-1 SEC) dropped a 2-0 affair to the Crimson Tide (6-6-1, 2-3-1) amid unseasonably cold temperatures Friday night in Tuscaloosa.
Nothing clicked for the Cats on the night. Known for a bend, but don’t break defensive mentality, the UK defense allowed only their second multiple goal in SEC play, while the Wildcats were outshot 22-3, the largest shot differential this season for the Cats.
UK thought they had an early score, three and a half minutes into the game. Off a corner kick, Alyssa Telang found a loose ball in front of the goal and fired a shot that hit on the underside of the cross bar and ricocheted straight down. The official said the ball did not cross the goal line and the Crimson Tide dodged the first bullet of the game.
Alabama connected on their first opportunity of the match in the ninth minute. Bama played a corner kick back towards midfield and then sent the ball back to Rosaly Petriello who took the corner. Petriello bent a shot inside the far post for the early lead.
Midway through the second half, the Wildcats moved Jenna Goblirsch, normally a defender, to the top in an effort to generate more offensive opportunities. The moved worked initially, generating some momentum, but it wasn’t enough to generate a goal and thwart the Tide’s attack.
Alabama added an insurance goal off a UK turnover deep in the UK defensive third of the field. Petriello pushed a through ball to Kelsey King who was one-on-one with UK goalie Sydney Hiance. King fired a shot near post for the final dagger and a 2-0 Bama win.
Telang recorded two of UK shots, while Katie Fahey tallied UK’s lone shot on goal.
The Wildcats close out weekend action on Sunday at Auburn. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET, fans can follow live stats and blog at UKathletics.com.
