Alabama soccer records first road win over Rice

Goals by Macy Clem and Riley Mattingly lead Crimson Tide to 2-1 victory

Alabama passed its first road test of the season defeating Rice 2-1 as the Crimson Tide opened a five-game road trip. 

Macy Clem found her name on the scoresheet yet again as she headed home a corner from fellow freshman Serena Pham to give Alabama an early lead in the 16th minute. 

The defensive midfielder shined in the Crimson Tide’s last game as well, notching her first career goal in the 3-0 win over Utah. Clem led Alabama with three shots, two on target, high numbers for a typically holding midfielder.

The Owls came back and matched the goal on a Haley Kostyshyn penalty kick.

The Crimson Tide responded by piling on the pressure until another fresh face found the back of the net. Sophomore forward Riley Mattingly’s effort in the 68th minute resulted in the game-winning play.

“It wasn’t our prettiest soccer this season,” Alabama coach Wes Hart said in a press release. “But we grinded out a good win versus a good opponent. I certainly have to give Rice credit for not making it easy on us.

"We will enjoy this win tonight and start preparing for Lamar tomorrow.”

Also standing out in the Crimson Tide’s win were Pham and junior goalkeeper Alex Plavin. Pham provided assists for both goals and Plavin made three saves in route to her second clean sheet of the season.

Alabama wraps up the Texas part of its roadtrip at Lamar. Game time in Beaumont is set for 1 p.m. CT.