Alabama soccer enjoyed a successful 2011 season, but fifth-year head coach Todd Bramble is ready to build on that success in 2012. A year removed from its first NCAA tournament appearance and second-round SEC tournament appearance since 1998, the Tide is looking to see if it is ready to make the jump to NCAA women’s soccer’s elite.
“Making it to NCAAs was one of our goals, and I think this year, at minimum, we have to get back there,” junior midfielder Molly Atherton said. “Trying to build off of last year’s SEC tournament gives us more confidence going into this year’s conference play.”
And the team is already off to a good start, defeating Kennesaw State University 1-0 on the road in its season opener. Despite what the final score might indicate, Alabama dominated the game, outshooting KSU 19-4.
“It was a great weekend,” senior defender Josie Ricks said. “During the game we kept the ball really well, moved it, kept a lot of possession. I think we had 12 shots on goal in the first half, and that only went up, so it was good. We need to keep finishing the ball, but the possession and the depth that we have is incredible right now.”
The Tide has tweaked its system from last year, employing a style of play focused on maintaining possession, making more passes, simplifying the game and getting more players on the ball. It worked in the opener, as Alabama was able to keep control of the ball for almost the whole game.
“We were never in danger of getting scored on the entire game,” Bramble said.
Alabama relied on a number of freshmen in 2011 and will continue to do the same in 2012. The older players on the team raved about Bramble’s recruiting success, and it shows on the field, as five of the top six scorers last year were freshmen or sophomores. And the lone goal in Friday’s game was also scored by a freshman – forward Katie Bourgeois.
“We started four freshmen and three sophomores against Kennesaw State, so that’s seven of our 11 players that were freshmen or sophomores,” Bramble said. “So that’s the bulk of our team right now, that we’re at least putting out there to start the games. We have a lot of confidence in our younger players’ abilities.”
Because of that youth, older players like Ricks and Atherton will be counted on to help mentor them. Bramble said the challenge will be keeping them level-minded – not too low after a bad game or series of bad games, and not too high after a big play or game.
“I’ve played for Todd for four years, so I kind of know what he’s expecting of us,” Ricks said. “But freshmen and sophomores, they’ve really come in and stepped up into that role. They definitely listen to what we say and respect us for that. But it’s a mutual respect because they’re doing great things for our team also.”
Alabama will open its home season on Friday vs. Samford. Kickoff was moved up to 6 p.m., to accommodate Greekfest.
“We always take pride in trying to get the season off on the right foot there,” Bramble said. “It’s a big night.”
