Alabama Soccer Upsets No. 6 BYU

PROVO, Utah – The Alabama soccer team (4-1-0) upset No. 6 BYU (2-1-1) Thursday, defeating the Cougars 3-2 at South Field. The win was UA’s first road victory against a ranked opponent since the team defeated No. 20 Georgia in 2013 and the best win over a top-10 opponent since it upset No. 5 Texas A&M in 2018.

“This is huge for our confidence. We knew going into this season that we were a good team, but you need wins and results to justify and validate it. We will enjoy this one tonight, and then we need to move onto the next. We need to stay humble and remember what has gotten us here.”

How It Happened

BYU found the back of the net first with Rachel McCarthy notching a goal in the 10^th minute of play. Alabama responded by scoring three goals in six minutes. Riley Mattingly Parker found UA’s first goal, heading the ball off a cross from Gessica Skorka in the 17^th minute of play. Felicia Knox stepped up and scored a penalty kick at the 22:26 mark to give the Tide the lead before Gianna Paul notched the game-winning goal 10 second later after sprinting down the field to take on the goalkeeper.

BYU found its second goal in the 84^th minute as Brecken Mozingo put a ball in the upper left corner off a pass from Olivia Smith. McKinley Crone would come up with four saves in the half to keep the Cougars from finding the equalizer and give the Tide the win. 

Notes

• Alabama recorded its first win against a top-10 team since it topped No. 5 Texas A&M at home in 2018
• Prior to tonight’s game, BYU had lost just four home games in the last five years and two in the last three years
• Parker netted her fourth goal of the year and third-consecutive goal off a header
• Paul would record her first career game-winning goal, and her second collegiate goal in as many games
• Knox captured her first goal of the season, scoring a penalty kick in the first half
• McKinely Crone made seven saves in the game

Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaSoccer on Twitter and Facebook and AlabamaSoccer on Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.

–UA–­­­