Mercer University
Alabama
Bears Fall on Road at Alabama
9/2/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. –The Mercer women's soccer team sought it its third-straight win on Sunday, yet had trouble finding the back of the net and ended up falling to SEC foe Alabama 3-0 at the Alabama Soccer complex.
Coming off an impressive 6-0 win against Alabama A&M on Friday night, Mercer (3-2-1)looked to have gained a little offensive momentum, but couldn't keep it rolling against the Crimson Tide. Alabama ended up outshooting the Bears 30-10 and Mercer is now 0-2 this season against SEC teams.
Junior Casey Barrett, who led the team in shots with three on Sunday, forced Alabama keeper Shelby Church to make a save just three and half minutes in. However, just over two minutes later, the Crimson Tide countered and buried the eventual game-winner off a Mercer miscue.
Alabama's Thersea Diederich forced a turnover in the Bears' zone and put a nice touch on the ball that sailed over the outstretched arms of junior Nikki Atkinson. It was Diederich's fourth of the year. Less than ten minutes later, the Crimson Tide would capitalize again.
Mercer fell behind 2-0 in the 15th minute when Alabama's Pia Rijsdijk took a nice feed from the corner and tallied her first of the game and second on the year. The two early goals forced Mercer to play from behind and after the second goal the Bears would get off just one more shot in the half.
The offensive struggles continued for the Bears in the second half as Alabama did a good job of limiting chances. In fact, it was the first time this season that the Bears failed secure a corner kick in a contest. Prior to Sunday's game, the Bears held a 40-4 advantage in corner kicks over their opponents. On Sunday, Alabama had the advantage, 8-0.
The Crimson Tide extended its lead in the 66th minute when Rijsdijk score her second of the match. Rijsdijk put a well-placed ball that hit off Mercer keeper Maggie Cropp and deflected in giving Alabama the 3-0 lead. Cropp took over for Atkinson at the start of the second half and was the second-straight game that head coach Tony Economopoulos decided to play two goalies.
The Bears continue on the road next Friday night at Georgia State before returning home to take on Alcorn State next Sunday.
