Alabama Soccer Survives Defensive Challenge From Arkansas, Could Move Up to No. 1
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- This was a game Alabama needed.
After blowout wins in five of its last six matches with 24 total goals, the No. 2 Crimson Tide needed to be challenged.
It got that on Sunday. Alabama welcomed No. 7 Arkansas to Tuscaloosa and a defensive battle ensued, with Alabama coming out with a 2-1 win.
"It's a lot less stressful winning those games like we did last weekend, 4-1 and 5-0," Alabama coach Wes Hart said. "These are the games that are going to get you ready for postseason play."
The win was big for Alabama, but it's going to be even bigger when the new rankings are released Tuesday. No. 1 UCLA lost its first game of the season, paving the way for Alabama to jump to No. 1.
"In football, we talk about rat poison, but for us this is all new and exciting," Hart said of the No. 1 ranking possibility. "Every time we jump you saw more life, more energy and more confidence. I have to feel if we are fortunate to jump up another spot that it's going to continue."
It was obvious this game was going to be a slugfest. Arkansas goalkeeper Grace Barbara ranks 11th in the country with eight shutouts. Alabama's McKinley Crone has six.
The Tide defense tightened up after going down 1-0 at the 17-minute mark, not allowing another ball in the net over the next 73 minutes.
"I have to applaud the defense today because they don't get the credit they deserve," Crone said. "I couldn't do my job without them continually making plays."
Crone has allowed 11 goals this season. She made five saves Sunday.
"Arkansas is a great team and we knew what they can bring," Crone said. "We had to go back to what we do best and that's be ourselves."
Alabama (14-1-1, 7-0) increases its SEC West lead over the Razorbacks, who dropped their second SEC game.
With such a defensive match, the outcome had to be determined by which team would make a crucial mistake.
Turned out it was Arkansas. Razorback defender Reagan Swindle fouled Alabama's Ashlynn Serepca in the penalty box in the 84th minute with the game knotted 1-1.
Serepca tapped in the go-ahead goal to clinch the win.
"They were holding us a lot in the box and it was beginning to be a battle inside the box," Serepca said. "These games are won and lost in the box. I got a great ball and was able to draw a foul. We have to fight and compete for every ball and stuff like that will happen."
Alabama fell behind 17 minutes into the contest on an Ava Tankersley header. The Alabama defense lost track of her and she made the most of it.
About eight minutes later Gianna Paul sped past the defense on the right sideline, faked a defender and slipped a beautiful pass to the middle, where Gessica Skorka knocked it in for the equalizer.
Alabama took 17 shots with three shots on goal. Arkansas took 13 shots with six on goal.
Alabama travels to Mississippi State on Thursday.
Game recap
SECOND HALF
Final Score: Alabama 2, Arkansas 1
- In the 84th minute, Ashlynn Serepca fouled and puts Alabama ahead on the penalty kick. Foul was on Reagan Swindle. Alabama 2, Arkansas 1
- Another shot by Serepca goes wide at the 82nd minute mark
- Ashlynn Serepca header misses wide in 78th minute. Very close. Defense for both teams is solid.
- Big break for Alabama as Anna Podojil's shot goes wide. She had a clear shot.
- 68 minutes, Alabama's Brooke Steere leaves the game with a leg injury. She is replaced by Felicia Knox
- News flash: Gianna Paul is fast. She continues to keep Alabama's offense on the attack
- Sasha Pickard called for a foul and she is not happy with the ref. Bama gets out of the jam after a Razorback shot goes high.
- Eight minutes in, Gianna Paul takes a shot on the right side, but it's corralled by the keeper.
- Diving save by McKinley Crone for Alabama to keep the game tied. More aggressive offense by both teams early on.
- Good defense by Sasha Pickard keeps Arkansas off the board early on in the half.
- Riley Mattingly Parker had a good look at the goal by Arkansas defender has beautiful slide tackle to knock the ball away.
FIRST HALF
Halftime score: 1-1
Shot by Arkansas' Taylor Brenan sails over the goal at 42-minute mark. Game still tied 1-1.
Substitution for Alabama at 35-minute mark, Sydney Vincens in for Gianna Paul
- Substitution for Alabama at 35-minute mark, Aislin Streicek for Riley. Tanner
- Perfect pass from Gianna Paul inside to Gessica Skorka, who slips a shot past the Razorback keeper for the equalizer at the 25-minute mark. Alabama 1, Arkansas 1
- Kat Rogers enters the game for Alabama. Serpca is out.
- Arkansas strikes first with a goal from Ava Tankersley, her fifth of the season at the 17-minute mark. 1-0 Arkansas
- Good defense by both teams. Neither team can get much going. 15 minutes into the half.
- Alabama's Serpca has open shot but it sails high at the 10-minute mark.
- Arkansas free kick for Arkansas near the corner. Great save from McKinley Crone to force a corner kick. Alabama clears the ball
- No shots until the eight-minute mark. Alabama's Reyes' shot from outside the box is stopped.
Alabama starting lineup
Forwards
Riley Mattingly Parker
Brooke Steere
Riley Tanner
Gianna Paul
Ashlynn Serepca
Midfielders
Macy Clem
Felicia Knox
Reyna Reyes
Defenders
Sasha Pickard
Gessica Skorka
Goalkeeper
McKinley Crone
