Soccer Plays Georgia to a 2-2 Draw

Sunday, October 23

Athens, Ga.

2:00 p.m

Alabama

8-7-3 (3-5-2)

Georgia

12-4-2 (6-2-2)

OT 3

OT 4

Alabama

Georgia

Theresa Diederich scored her team-leading sixth goal on the season Sunday.

Soccer Plays Georgia to a 2-2 Draw

10/23/2011 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

Box Score

Oct. 23, 2011

Box Score

ATHENS, Ga. - The Alabama soccer team earned an important point on the road as it played Georgia to a 2-2 draw, Sunday afternoon at the Turner Soccer Stadium. With the tie the Crimson Tide moves to 8-7-3 overall and 3-5-2 in Southeastern Conference play.

In need of some points to stay in the hunt for the SEC Tournament in Orange Beach, the Crimson Tide responded this week with four points against two teams that have combined for 25 wins this season. Alabama beat Tennessee (13-5-0, 5-4-0 SEC) for the first time since 1998 and earned its first result against Georgia (12-4-2, 6-2-2 SEC) since 2004.

"Our resilience once again came through as we had to come from behind twice," Alabama head coach Todd Bramble said. "We have gotten a lot better as an away team. I am proud of our mental and emotional toughness. It was a good result against a good opponent."

In an offensive game that featured four goals and 52 combined shots with three of the goals coming in the span of one minute, penalty kicks played a large role in the match.

Three of the goals came by way of the penalty kick, with Georgia scoring both of its tallies on penalties. In the 23rd minute Alexa Newfield scored her first of two penalties for the Bulldogs.

The 70th minute proved to be an active one as Kaitlyn Smith scored her second goal of the season to even the score at one on an Ashley Willis corner kick.

Just 30 seconds later Newfield buried her second penalty to give Georgia the quick, 2-1 lead. Alabama responded though, 50 seconds later as Theresa Diederich tallied her team-best sixth goal on the season on the final penalty kick of the match.

Georgia narrowly outshot Alabama, 27-25, with the Tide firing off 11 shots in the first two periods before adding three more in the final overtime stanza. Freshman Pia Rijsdijk once again led the Tide with seven shots, putting three on frame. Newfield led all players with 11 shots for UGA.

Senior goalkeeper Justine Bernier tallied seven saves, including three in the first overtime period. Ashley Baker recorded nine saves for Georgia.

Alabama will close out its regular season slate when it hosts division rival Auburn. The two teams will meet on Friday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m., at the Alabama Soccer Stadium.