Upset Bid Falls Short with 2-1 Loss to Florida - ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE - University of Alabama Official Athletic Site

Upset Bid Falls Short with 2-1 Loss to Florida Alabama Earns Most Wins Since 2004

Alabama nearly came away with an upset Wednesday night.

Nov. 5, 2008

Box Score

Orange Beach, Ala. - The Alabama soccer team nearly pulled off the upset over No. 1 seed Florida but gave up two second half goals to fall 2-1 Wednesday night at the Orange Beach SportsPlex. The Crimson Tide took a 1-0 lead in the first half and held on to the lead until the 66th minute. The Gators then earned the win on a goal with less than two minutes remaining.

"I am proud of the team for their performance tonight," head coach Todd Bramble said. "As sad as it is for our season to be over, we can hold our heads high knowing we ended the season with the best performance we have had as a team. This 2008 team is going to launch this program into the future."

Kailey Corken got the Tide on the board in the 39th minute when she broke away from the Gator defense and buried a one-on-one far post off a Rosaly Petriello pass. Petriello made a quick turn from the Alabama half and found Corken on a run the split two Florida defenders.

The Gators evened the score in the 66th minute on a header from Megan Kerns. Nicky Kit collected a loose ball from the left side and found Kerns across the box that was headed into the back of the net. Kit made the pass near the left sideline from 35 yards out.

Kerns then set up the game-winner on a free kick from 20 yards out that caromed off UA goalkeeper Kara Gudmens and was finished by Ashlee Elliott. Alabama was whistled for a foul in a dangerous area and Florida was able to take advantage. Kerns bent the ball around the Tide wall and Gudmens was able to make the save but Elliott was there to collect the loose ball to secure the win for the No. 7 ranked Gators.

Alabama concludes its season with a 9-9-2 record and finished with a .500 record for the first time since 2005. The Tide was making its first appearance in the SEC Tournament since the 2004 season.