For the second straight game, the Alabama women’s soccer team allowed a goal in the final two minutes to fall to No. 14 Missouri, 2-1. It was a heartbreaking loss for the Crimson Tide, who outplayed the Tigers for most of the game, including outshooting the opposition 21-7. This is the fourth straight loss for the Tide, who fell to 7-7-2 on the year and 2-6-2 in conference play.
“I thought our performance was outstanding,” head coach Todd Bramble said. “I can’t ask any more from the players than the effort and the quality we saw today. My heart is broken for them.”
Alabama was out of sync on defensive positioning early as the Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute. The Tide controlled the game for the rest of the half, as they were able to get five shots on goal in the first half, including a near goal by freshman Merel Van Dongen that got by the keeper but was blocked by a defender at the last second.
“[The] message at half time was just keep the momentum going,” said senior midfielder Kaitlyn Smith. “We had the momentum at the end of the first, so the whole goal was just to keep it going and keep attacking, and we would get a goal.”
Alabama came out even stronger in the second half, tying the game 1-1 on a goal by sophomore Pia Rijsdijk, who was able to rocket a loose ball in the box past the keeper. Even with the Tide dominating the half, outshooting the Tigers 13-3, the team failed to capitalize on many close chances while the Tigers were able to bury a goal on a counter attack in the 89th minute.
“We just need to keep our heads up and stay positive,” said Rijsdijk. “We still got three games left, and we aren’t giving up and not quitting. Just got to stay positive and get another good practice week and get ready for next weekend.”
Even with the loss, there was a lot to like from the Tide, who played arguably the best the team has all season against one of the best teams in the country. If the Tide can keep up this level of performance, it is close to where the players want to be with the SEC Tournament nearing.
“This game proved we are still a really good soccer team,” Bramble said. “Our staff, we are going to keep working out as hard as we can for the players to figure out a way for the results to be better, but I really enjoy watching this team play.”
The Tide will next face No. 12 Florida at the Alabama Soccer Complex on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.
