TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama soccer team (3-1-0) topped the No. 18 Clemson Tigers (2-1-1) in a 3-0 victory Sunday at the Alabama Soccer Stadium. A brace by Riley Mattingly Parker lifted the Crimson Tide to victory as she netted the first and last goals of the night. Gianna Paul notched her first collegiate goal in the performance to help UA secure the victory.
“I don’t even have the words to describe how grateful I am for our crowd tonight. They showed up and put out. There’s no doubt they helped us win the game. Hopefully we gave them a reason to come back again.
“I thought our team played well tonight. Once again, we had a great start to the game. We rewarded ourselves with an early goal. I thought the momentum kind of changed in Clemson’s favor after the goal, but we were able to regain it before halftime. The second half went exactly the way we wanted it to. We wanted to keep attacking and not bunker in and try to hang on to the lead. Forty-five minutes is too long to hang on against an opponent like Clemson. It was important to us to keep playing for the next goal. Could not be happier with how we closed this game out. Huge performances by so many different players. Great win. We will enjoy it tonight and then our focus shifts to BYU tomorrow.”
How It Happened
A free kick 30-yards out gave the Crimson Tide its first goal. Felicia Knox bent a ball towards the back post for Riley Mattingly Parker to head back across the net and into the corner. Parker’s header in the 11th minute was the lone goal in the first half as the two teams sat tied 4-4 in shots with UA holding a slight advantage in corner kicks, 2-1.
A determined second half start contributed to a 16-6 second half shot advantage for the Tide. Gianna Paul was next to put her shot in the back of the net, driving a low ball into the left corner in the 73rd minute. Kat Rogers earned the assist after sending a ball into the box for Paul. Seven minutes later, Parker scored her second header of the game. Gessica Skorka played a ball from the corner back to Paul who lifted a cross up and into the box to an unmarked Parker.
Game Notes
- McKinley Crone tallied her third shutout of the year, and 14th at Alabama, posting three saves in the game
- Parker notched the game-winning goal in the 12th minute before adding her third goal of the season in the 80th minute
- Paul recorded her first collegiate goal,…
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