Top-Seeded Alabama Soccer Advances to SEC Semifinals with 2-0 Win Over Eighth-Seeded Mississippi State

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Top-seeded Alabama (18-1-1) recorded a 2-0 victory over eighth-seeded Mississippi State (11-5-4) in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament on Tuesday. The win advanced the Crimson Tide to the SEC semifinals for the fifth time in program history and first time since 2011.

Gallery: (11-1-2022) 11-01-22 WSO vs MSU (SEC Tourney)

From Head Coach Wes Hart

“I’m very pleased with our performance tonight. We did what we needed to, to win the game and we were able to play a lot of players and rest some of those that have logged a lot of minutes this season. Our first goal was quality. The combination play and movement that led to Ash (Ashlynn Serepca) getting open in the box was first class. And like we’ve done all year long, we were able to capitalize on a set piece for the second (goal).

“I would have liked that third goal to kill the game off, but it was certainly not for a lack of chances. Their keeper made some great saves to keep us at two. Looking forward to staying a few more days at the beach and playing in semifinal on Thursday.”

How It Happened

• Ashlynn Serepca was the first player to find the back of the net
• Riley Mattingly Parker played a ball out to the corner to Riley Tanner, who found Serepca in front of the goal in the 13^th minute
• Macy Clem slid to force a ball over the goal line in the 32^nd minute
• Reyes played a ball towards net as Clem lunged to force the second goal of the game
• Alabama outshot the Bulldogs 23-11
• McKinley Crone made three saves to keep MSU out of the back of the net

Game Notes

• Alabama won its first SEC Tournament game since it recorded an overtime win against Auburn in the first round of the 2019 conference tournament
• The Tide advanced to the semifinals for the fifth time in program history and first time since 2011
• UA moved to 18 wins on the year and 14^th consecutive victories
• Ashlynn Serepca notched her seventh goal this season, while Macy Clem scored her fourth
• Alabama set the school record for most shutouts in a season, holding its 11^th opponent scoreless this year
• Riley Mattingly Parker now holds 30 points this season after tallying an assist in Tuesday’s game

• McKinley recorded her 10 shutout this season and 20th in an Alabama uniform, making three saves in the game

Next

• Alabama will play the winner between fourth-seeded Arkansas and fifth-seeded Vanderbilt
• The semifinal match will kick off Thursday at 5 p.m. CT…