After one of the most challenging games so far in the season, the Alabama soccer team pulled out a win against the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the 87th minute of the game. Junior Merel Van Dongen scored the game-winning goal, her fourth goal of the season.
“This is so big,” Van Dongen said. “We’ve had a rough start and we’ve done everything I can possibly think of to get a win. And tonight, the last nonconference game, we have to win. It’s on our home field and everything came together like we wanted.”
At the start of the first half, both teams came out energized and ready to fight. UAB controlled the ball early on in the half, but Alabama continued to give the Blazers a run for their money. Throughout the entire game, Alabama played an aggressive game, forcing UAB to fight harder than expected.
By the end of the first half, Alabama outshot UAB 14-6. The Crimson Tide continued to keep up the shot momentum into the second half, outshooting UAB 14-2.
When the 87th minute of the game came around, Alabama had control of the ball and wasn’t letting it go. Senior Kendall Khanna set up the goal but it was Van Dongen who got it in the net.
“Every time we play UAB it seems like a close game,” head coach Todd Bramble said. “I wasn’t surprised that there was only one goal scored in tonight’s game. And I wasn’t surprised that it came late. They are a team that plays hard and are well coached, well organized and defend well. I thought it was going to come but it certainly took awhile.”
So far this season, Sunday’s game was the first in which Alabama shut out its opponent. This win marks the end of the nonconference games before the Crimson Tide travels to Gainesville, Fla., to compete against the Gators. Bramble said he was confident that his team is ready to play Florida.
“We have to prepare for a different style of play,” Bramble said. “Florida is a possession-oriented team. They’re going to control the ball more than we are, and we have to accept that. We have to be ready to defend a lot.”
Seven non-conference games later, the Crimson Tide, currently 2-5, is now heading into the conference games. Bramble said the team is ready, even with the season’s rough start.
“Absolutely [we’re ready],” Bramble said. “Even though we lost by a large margin up at Memphis, they’re not better than us. It’s good to see that two nights after a heavy loss there was this much enthusiasm and this much energy. Our players should feel good about our chances.”
