Alabama soccer loses SEC title game, what’s next for Tide
Alabama’s shot at a first SEC women’s soccer tournament title came up short Sunday in Pensacola.
In front of an overflow crowd, South Carolina ended a Crimson Tide unbeaten streak dating back to August. The 1-0 Gamecock win in the SEC championship ended a string of 18 straight games without a loss and a 15-game winning streak.
Alabama (19-2-1) will wait for the 2:30 p.m. CT Monday NCAA tournament selection show but is all but assured to host the first round (Nov. 11-13).
The Tide was the No. 1 team in the RPI rankings through Saturday’s game but will drop after falling to the No. 17 Gamecocks on Sunday.
The Crimson Tide had a huge shot to tie the game with just over a minute to play but a header from a few feet away was saved and the rebound knocked away.
It ended a bid for the first perfect SEC season since Florida ran the table 22 years ago.
Alabama finished 13 shots (six on goal) to South Carolina’s eight shots (three on goal).
Brianna Behm’s goal in the 57th minute was ultimately the game winner for the Gamecocks (13-3-5).
Alabama goalkeeper McKinley Crone had two saves in the championship game. Riley Parker Mattingly had two of the three shots on goal for the Tide.
Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.