Alabama Soccer

Story by Matthew Wilson
Photos by Alaina Denean Clark

The University of Alabama soccer team, led by head coach Todd Bramble and coaches Tatum Clowney and Jason Lowe, faced off against the Auburn Tigers on October 31st to close out the regular season. Facing off against its rival was an intense match with Alabama’s hope for post-season qualification riding on the game. Having lost the previous year, Alabama was looking to take the win during the match.
Scoring at the end of the first half, Auburn took the lead after a back-and-forth first half. Alabama tried to tie the score and rebound in the second, with Junior Pia Rijsdijk missing a shot by kicking wide. The stars could not align to give Alabama their needed victory, and despite their efforts, Alabama was unable to take the lead. Auburn won with a final score of 1-0.
Facing off against several teams including Denver, LSU, and Memphis over the season, the Alabama soccer team managed to pull off wins against UAB, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi State, and Georgia State. Rijsdijk helped lead the team with a season score of 7 goals, and Molly Atherton scored the winning goal in an overtime matchup against Georgia.
The soccer team closed out the season with six wins and 12 losses. Alabama needed at least a tie against Auburn in order to qualify for the postseason. Though not qualifying for postseason is disheartening for the team and graduating seniors Molly Atherton, Sophie Campise, Shelby Church, and Kendall Khanna, it will push the team to work and train harder during their off season.
Come August of 2014, The University of Alabama Soccer Team will take the field again hopefully with renewed hope and determination despite their losses this season. With loss and failure come wisdom and success.

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