Alabama 3, Georgia 1
With a 3-1 win over Georgia Friday night in the final SEC home game of the season, the Alabama (9-8-0, 5-4-0 SEC) soccer team clinched its first appearance in the SEC tournament since 1998.
"This is a big win for us because it came with a little pressure," said Alabama head coach Don Staley. "We answered the call tonight and that shows the character of this team."
The win came on the strength of Kylie Boyd's three second half goals and two assists from the team's leading scorer Jordan O'Banion. For Boyd, it was her first collegiate Hat Trick and the first for Alabama since September 30, 2003.
With Georgia (4-8-4, 2-5-2 SEC) leading 1-0 in the second half, Boyd and O'Banion hooked up for the first time at 63:48 to tie the game up at 1-1. Nine minutes later, O'Banion redirected the ball to Boyd again who found the back of the net for the second time and put Alabama on top for good.
Then, just for good measure, at 79:24 Boyd added her third goal of the game and seventh on the year to complete the Hat Trick. Alabama's Suzanne Baker sent the ball into the Georgia zone and Libby Probst gave chase. Probst was then able to position herself for a good angle to make the cross-field pass to Boyd for the goal. For Probst it was her team-leading sixth assist on the season.
The 3-1 win for Alabama is the second consecutive victory over Georgia and third straight win overall. It marks the first time since 1997 that the Tide has won three consecutive SEC games. After starting the year 1-3 in the SEC, Alabama has now won four of its last five games in the conference to clinch a spot in the SEC tournament.
"This team knows what's ahead of it," said Staley. "They don't get too low or too high. We've been able to take every game just one step at a time. I think our staff has learned something from this team and I think the girls have learned something from us too. That's how we've been able to build this year."
Georgia's Marilee Eback put the Bulldogs on top 1-0 in the first half with a beautiful goal from 35 yards out. Eback placed the ball perfectly in the top left corner of the net, just out of the reach of Alabama goal keeper Laura Lowman.
"That was a heck of a goal," said Staley
Alabama was presented with a number of chances the rest of the first half to tie the game up before halftime, but the Tide was just off the mark. Alabama had a season high eight corner kicks in the first half and 11 on the night. But it wasn't until the second half that the Tide converted on its chances.
Alabama entered the night knowing it needed to win one of its final three conference games to qualify for the tournament. Now with two games left to play against rivals Tennessee and Auburn, the Tide can now play for seeding in the tournament. Currently Alabama sits in second place in the SEC West behind Auburn.
Alabama will be in action Sunday afternoon in Knoxville, Tenn. as it takes on No. 8 Tennessee.
ROLL SOCCER TIDE ROLL!! Rick
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