Alabama put up a fight. After giving up a goal late in first half, the Crimson Tide kept the pressure on No. 3 Virginia but it wasn’t enough. Alabama lost 3-0 to the Cavaliers.

“We were able to establish some rhythm at points in the game,” Alabama coach Todd Bramble said. “The players did a good job in possession for the most part. We were able to string together some passes and build some attacks. I think we created a few chances and I still wish we were able to create a few more but all in all, I saw some good things from us on both sides of the ball tonight.”

Alabama’s defense was the game-saver Friday night. Virginia had back-to-back shots within the first five minutes of the match. Goalkeeper Emily Rusk had four saves in the first half but only one save in the second half.

“I mean, looking into this game, we knew what we were getting into when playing Virginia,” Rusk said. “They were in the Final Four last year, they are a really solid team. Just as the back line, as a unit, we knew we had to be really on our game. So I think we just came into it with that mentality and just fought all through the first half to give ourselves a fighting chance going in.”

Alabama continued to put the pressure on Virginia throughout both halves. So far this season Virginia has given up 11 shots, six from Alabama. Virginia did, however, outshoot Alabama 23-6. Eight of the Cavaliers’ shots were on goal.

Friday’s match was the highest-ranked opponent to play at home in program history. 

“I thought our organization, defensively, was very, very good,” Bramble said. “Our concentration and our effort [was good]. And we really did a good job at minimizing their chances. They might have had what looks like a lot of shots, but a lot of those shots were from distance and pretty non-threatening. I think they got a lucky first goal off of that deflection, but I wasn’t unhappy of how we played in the first half at all.”

Virginia scored its first goal late in the first half. The Cavaliers scored its second goal from a one-time shot off a rebound. The third goal came off of a penalty kick.

Alabama also had 1308 fans in attendance, the second highest number in program history.

The Crimson Tide (2-2-1) returns to the field Sunday to play Jacksonville State at 7 p.m at the Alabama Soccer Complex