Alabama Soccer Victorious in Season-Opening Shutout of DePaul
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— The DePaul Blue Demons will have to wait a little while longer to beat Alabama in soccer. The Chicago-based program is now winless in two tries at the feat.
The No. 7 Crimson Tide was back on the pitch for its regular season opener, and ensured with its 2-0 win that the 20-match home unbeaten streak became 21.
"I was pleased. We're still learning, and trying to figure out who we are," head coach Wes Hart said. "I thought we saw some good moments. It was awesome to get an early goal, and to end the [first] half with a goal was great. I thought our best stretch of the game was early in the second half. We were all over them.
"I think if we could have [gotten] a goal there, probably the floodgates open and we break their spirit. Credit to DePaul. Their keeper made some big saves and they hung tough. They made it hard for us. Overall, I'm pleased... It was a positive start, but certainly a lot of room to grow."
Alabama got on the scoreboard early, as it so often did last season, thanks to the boot of sophomore forward Gianna Paul. She broke away in the fifth minute and put the ball in the back of the net for the first Crimson Tide goal of the 2023 season.
"I feel like I'm always, mentally, as soon as I get that first goal, as soon as I get that first good assist, that first good touch on the ball, I feel like the game kind of relaxes for me," Paul said. "Personally, getting a goal in the first five minutes feels great. The previous year of experience means a lot to me just because I feel like as a freshman, I had such a great representation of what the future was to hold. With the team we had last year, you couldn't ask for better, but we're expecting so much more from this program."
Second in the scoring column was Dayton transfer Itala Gemelli, who had a great look at her inaugural Crimson Tide goal midway through the first half and then left nothing to chance when she scored with under two minutes remaining in the period.
"The first game means just as much as any other game," she said. "We're setting the tone for the rest of the season. We're excited. We're playing with a lot of energy and we're ready to win."
The offense didn't stop there for the Crimson Tide. The Blue Demons stayed in the fight, despite losing the possession battle and having to work hard to create chances. Alabama had multiple shots on goal in the opening moments of the latter half, but DePaul stood strong. Blue Demons goalkeeper Elena Milam made six saves.
"If we can continue to build each game and continue to get better, that's what we're aiming to do," Hart said. "It would have been great to get that third goal and bury them, but at the same time, we need to be put under pressure. I'm glad they didn't just roll over and die on us. They gave us a tough test up until the very end."
The Crimson Tide offense totaled 21 shots in the contest. Eight were on goal. DePaul only mustered four shots in total and a single shot on goal. New Alabama goalkeeper Dylan Pixton looked sharp. Hart said freshman Coralie Lallier, who split time with Pixton in the Tennessee exhibition, will play in the team's next game. Alabama returned players from injury Thursday who were not available in the preseason match. Defender Bella Scaturro Bright played for the first time since 2021 and had a part in the back line despite having limited minutes. Transfer midfielder Isabel Smith, a Birmingham native, made her Crimson Tide debut.
New faces were on point in the matchup. Freshmen Cameron Silva and Nadia Ramadan, who played well in the exhibition, carried that over to night one of the regular season. Silva's dribbling was a sight to behold, drawing gasps from the crowd in the first half when she almost sent a Blue Demons player to the deck with a juke move. Ramadan had an assist credited to her on Gemelli's goal.
Alabama did what it needed to, controlling possession and territory. DePaul's fight amounted to little without goals to show for it, and goals can't come without chances. After 12 shutouts graced the results sheet last fall, the Crimson Tide put one up in the very first game of the new year. The offensive side was productive and put the Blue Demons on their heels, even though not every opportunity made its way to the scoreboard. The midfield made the visitors' lives extremely difficult from kickoff until minute 90.
"They're [the midfield] incredible," Paul said. "I could never be a midfielder. They're box to box, they're running around like chickens with their head cut off. I have the utmost respect for them, and I love when they play the long balls. It makes our job easier, and it makes us look good. I can only thank [them]."
Alabama's next outing is on the road, though the Crimson Tide won't travel far. The UAB Blazers await on home turf in Birmingham on Sunday. Kickoff will be at 6 p.m. CT.
See Also:
Alabama Head Soccer Coach Wes Hart on The Joe Gaither Show | Episode 62: Aug. 17, 2023
Alabama Soccer Well Represented on SEC Preseason Watchlist
Alabama P James Burnip More Comfortable, Consistent Entering Third Season
