Alabama Athletics
Alabama soccer defeats LSU 3-0 during Power of Pink game
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama extended it’s unbeaten run in the Southeastern Conference to four with a convincing 3-0 win against LSU in its Power of Pink game.
It was the Crimson Tide's first shutout in league play this season.
“All of us were really excited because it was our pink game,” freshman goalkeeper A.J. Crooks said. “We all got dolled up, put bows in our hair, took pictures before the game and I think we all knew that our main goal going into this game was getting the three points and we wanted to win in regulation time.
"Another main point we wanted to emphasize was getting that shutout, so I think we were focused on that all game.”
After a slow opening twenty minutes between the teams, Alabama increased its pressure on the Tiger backline in the 27th minute with a shot from redshirt sophomore forward Gabby Duca.
For the remainder of the half, the Crimson Tide controlled possession inside the LSU half and limited routes out for Tiger forwards.
The pressure finally paid off right on the brink of halftime. Freshman midfielder Serena Pham collected the ball on the left side of the box in the 42nd minute before locating Taylor Morgan in the center of the box. The junior midfielder side-footed her first time shot in the bottom right corner of the net to give Alabama the 1-0 lead.
“I think it was really cool because it was a team goal,” Morgan said. “It wasn’t just me dribbling or anything. It came in from the freshman, Serena, on the outside and it just broke the ice. We finally opened up and played our game and doing what we’re capable of doing.”
Sophomore midfielder Kat Rogers doubled the Crimson Tide's advantage in the 45th minute after being slotted in behind the LSU backline by junior forward Chloe Maize.
Rogers’s shot deflected and looped over the helpless Tiger goalkeeper to give Alabama the 2-0 lead going into halftime.
“In every game [LSU] has played, they’ve shown some fight and some ability,” Crimson Tide coach Wes Hart said. “We knew they were going to come out with some fight today.
"Our message to the group was that once we get that first one, it’s going to break their spirit a little bit.”
The second half was a clinical performance from Hart’s side. Alabama dominated possession, circulating the ball through its line, seemingly creating chances at will.
Although the Crimson Tide felt a little unlucky not to have finished with more in the back of the net, the final score came in the 88th minute through freshman midfielder Macy Clem, assisted by Allie Berk.
The Crimson Tide’s assertiveness in the attack was demonstrated in its 20-3 advantage in shot attempts and 7-1 advantage in corner kicks attempted.
Crooks only had to make one save, which occurred during the opening minutes of the match.
Alabama improved to 8-4-2 overall, 3-2-1 in the SEC.
The Crimson Tide heads back on the road to Ole Miss and Missouri before returning home in two weeks to host Auburn on Oct. 27.
