Alabama soccer defender Abby Lutzenkirchen helped her North Atlanta Soccer Association Elite 12 club team win the U-19 National Championship 2-1 in overtime Sunday in Overland Park, Kan. The sophomore was also named to the “Best 11 Team” due to her outstanding performance.
Lutzenkirchen competed against the So Cal Blues Dido. During the first two halves, the two teams were struggling to gain control of the game, and both were unable to score any goals during the regular time period. Fortunately for Lutzenkirchen and her team, they were able to win in overtime and bring home the trophy.
“It was surreal [to win the championship],” Lutzenkirchen said. “My whole team has been working our whole youth career for this championship, and it was perfect to finally win one after all the years we have been working so hard. It was our last game together, and it was very bittersweet.”
When compared to Lutzenkirchen’s team, the Blues had speed and size on their side. However, Lutzenkirchen and company didn’t back down to their opponents and kept them on their toes during the game.
In the first overtime, NASA Elite 12 scored their first goal at the five-minute marker. Their opponent was able to get a goal as well, tying up the game again, 1-1.
Their second goal came during the second overtime, crushing the hopes for the Blues to take control of the game. Though the team was tired, yet confident about winning, Lutzenkirchen said there was a lot more than the physical play on the pitch that took place in overtime.
“We were all so tired because of all the emotion that had gone into the game, like extra emotions that usually don’t go into games,” Lutzenkirchen said. “We knew that we couldn’t give up after getting this far, so we put two goals in overtime and sealed the deal.”
Lutzenkirchen’s freshman year at Alabama really changed the game for her. Lutzenkirchen wasn’t always a defender but became one when she started at Alabama. Her change in position helped her out quite a bit against the Blues.
After starting all 19 games and helping out with five shutouts last season, Lutzenkirchen will rejoin the Crimson Tide in the fall. Though she played a majority of her career with her U-19 team, she will help Alabama compete in the SEC once more.
