Alabama Soccer Upsets No. 6 BYU, 3-2

The Crimson Tide picked up its second win in a row over a ranked opponent, avenging last year's NCAA tournament loss.

For the second time in as many games, Alabama soccer beat a ranked team. After beating No. 18 Clemson at home Sunday, the Crimson Tide opened its Utah road trip with a 3-2 upset win over No. 6 BYU Thursday evening. The Cougars knocked Alabama out of the NCAA tournament last season with a 4-1 win. 

"This is huge for our confidence," Alabama coach West Hart said in a press release. "We knew going into this season that we were a good team, but you need wins and results to justify and validate it. We will enjoy this one tonight, and we need to move onto the next. We need to stay humble and remember what has gotten us here."

BYU jumped out to a 1-0 lead with an early goal at the 10-minute mark. That lead didn't last long. Alabama quickly answered back with three unanswered goals over the next 12 minutes to build a 3-1 lead. 

The two-goal advantage was enough to hold the Crimson Tide through the remainder of the half and game. The Cougars scored with six minutes to go to cut the deficit to one. A late attack by BYU was never enough to get behind the back line of the Alabama defense and McKinley Crone in goal to tie the game. 

Riley Parker opened the Alabama scoring with her team-leading fourth goal of the season. Felicia Knox got in the scorebooks on a penalty kick with her first goal of the season to make it 2-1 Alabama. True freshman Gianna Paul continued her hot play with a goal for the second straight game to make it 3-1. 

Alabama improves to 4-1 on the season. This was the first of three games for the Crimson Tide in the state of Utah over the next week with a game at Utah on Sunday at 7 p.m. and Tuesday at noon at Utah Valley.