Aug. 28, 2010

Box Score

Alabama 0, Furman 3 [Box Score]

1st 2nd OT F Alabama 0 0 0 0 Furman 1 2 0 3

Quick Stats   Shots Goals Assists Corners Fouls Alabama 29 0 0 7 10 Furman 5 3 2 1 4

Crimson Tide Soccer Central

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama soccer team dropped its first decision of the season by falling to Furman, 3-0 in a wet match marred by a hour and a half lightening delay Saturday night at the Alabama Soccer Complex. After the night the Crimson Tide moves to 2-1 while the Paladins improve to 2-1 on the season.

"The game had everything," Alabama head coach Todd Bramble said. "I thought we played really well in first half but with the delay we changed our tactics and got burned. Their goalkeeper [Jessica Smith] was outstanding tonight."

The Tide was all over the Paladins offensively but was unable to find the net as Alabama ripped off 29 shots to only five from Furman. Smith made 11 saves in goal for Paladins.

It may have been all Alabama offensively in the first half but it was Furman who went into the locker room with a 1-0 advantage.

The first shot of the contest for the Paladins proved to be costly as it gave them the early lead. Rachel Shelnutt found the back of the net on a one-on-one 15 minutes into the contest. Shelnutt was able to break through the Tide defense and beat Tide goalkeeper Laura Nicholls far post from 10-yards out.

After an hour and a half delay due to lightening, the two teams returned to the field for the second half of play. In the 62nd minute, Furman extended its lead to 2-0 on just its third shot of the game when Martha Hall chipped the keeper from 25 yards out after a clearance deep in the defensive third from Shelnutt.

Shelnutt was then on the scoring end when she collected a long pass from Kitty Tryon and was able to get past the diving Nicholls for her second goal of the contest.

Alabama freshman Molly Atherton led the Tide with six shots, putting one on frame. Shelnutt connected on her two shots for the Paladins.

Nicholls got her first start of her career in a Crimson Tide uniform Saturday. The junior was filling in for Justine Bernier, who is on international duty with Team Canada.

Alabama will now return to action for an exhibition match on Monday, Aug. 30, against the U-17 Ghana National Team. The two teams will meet at 7 p.m. at the Alabama Soccer Stadium.