Sept. 13, 2012

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<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=3a64506918"> No. 23 Tennessee Soccer vs. Alabama</a>

No. 23 TENNESSEE (5-1-1) vs. ALABAMA (5-1)

Sept. 14, 2012 | 7 p.m. ET

Regal Soccer Stadium | Knoxville, Tenn.

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THE ALABAMA MATCH

Tennessee's SEC opener against Alabama on Friday will mark the 14th meeting all-time between the schools. The Lady Vols hold a 9-3-1 advantage and have never lost to the Crimson Tide at home, going 5-0-1 against them in Knoxville. In 2011, Alabama edged UT, 1-0, in Tuscaloosa thaks to Piya Rijsdijk's 14th-minute unassisted goal.
UT is 10-5-1 all-time in SEC openers and 6-1 when its first conference game is at home. In last year's SEC opener, Tennessee fell at home to South Carolina, 2-1 in double overtime after Kortney Rhoades scored from 12 yards out in the 106th minute.
Tennessee is currently ranked No. 23 in the nation in the Soccer America poll and No. 25 in the NSCAA/Continental Tire national poll.

The NCAA released its first weekly stats rankings of the season on Tuesday. Tennessee's defense stands as one of the best in the nation, ranking sixth in goals-against average (.270) and eighth in save percentage (.917) and tying for eighth in shutout percentage (.714). Sophomore Julie Eckel is 11th among all Division I goalkeepers with a .290 goals-against average.
Fans who pre-order the Triple Play package online will receive a Lady Vol t-shirt hot dog and match ticket for only $5! Fans who present their UT-Florida football game ticket will receive free admission. Also, Friday is Knox County School Night with free admission to fans who donate two school supplies.

SCOUTING ALABAMA

Alabama is 5-1 and coming off a 2-1 home loss to Maryland on Sept. 6.
The Crimson Tide defense has been strong this year with a 0.50 goals-allowed average (t-27th in nation) and a .667 shutout percentage (t-16th in nation).
In 2011, Alabama went 10-9-3 (4-5-2 SEC) and fell to Miami in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Crimson Tide returned 15 letterwinners and eight starters from last season, including NSCAA All-Region forward Pia Rijsdijk.
Freshman Katie Bourgeois is the team's leading scorer in 2012 with six goals and two assissts for 14 points. Bourgeois scored an incredible four goals in Alabama's 9-0 win at South Alabama on Aug. 31.