No. 1 seed Alabama soccer (21-2-1) advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament with a 2-1 victory over the No. 8 seed Portland Pilots (12-5-4) Friday night at the Alabama Soccer Stadium. The Crimson Tide advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.
Riley Mattingly Parker tallied UA's first goal, collecting a penalty kick that was saved by the Portland goalkeeper to put it back into the net. About 10 minutes later, Felicia Knox fired a corner kick into the box that was deflected into goal by a Pilot defender.
From Head Coach Wes Hart
"For us to be able to play on a beautiful night with our fans in the stands and on a great field is everything. We earned the right, with the season we had, to host these games and I'm certainly glad we're home.
"Portland was a tough opponent. We knew going into it, in watching video, they were going to be organized and athletic and tough. I thought they did a good job of making it difficult for us to create chances. But I did think as the game wore on, specifically at the end of that first half, that we kind of gained a little bit of momentum and started winning the territory battle."
How It Happened
- Alabama and Portland remained tied after the first 45 minutes of competition, despite the Tide outshooting Portland, 8-2, including placing four shots on target
- UA had its best scoring opportunities of the half in the final minutes
- Riley Tanner drew a penalty kick in the 66th minute for the Tide
- Portland's goalkeeper Bre Norris saved the initial attempt, but Riley Mattingly Parker charged the net to score off the rebounded shot to make it 1-0 Alabama
- Three minutes later, Portland drew a penalty kick with Cally Togiai finding the back of the net for the Pilots, tying the game at one goal apiece
- In the 75th minute, a corner kick from Felicia Knox was deflected off a Portland defender to give UA the lead
- The Tide advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history
- Friday's win marked the first time in program history that Alabama has won two games in the same NCAA Tournament
- Riley Mattingly Parker scored her 17th goal of the season to add to her school record for single-season goals
- Alabama improved its single season record for total goals, moving to 70 on the year, in addition to moving to 204 points this season
- Alabama led the match in total shots 18-6 with a 9-3 advantage for shots on goal
- UA will compete in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, Nov. 20
- Alabama will play UC Irvine, which kicks off Sunday at 1 p.m. CT
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