Alabama Wins Iron Bowl of Soccer, Defeating No. 19 Auburn 1-0

The Crimson Tide's regular season finale was all it was supposed to be versus the visiting Tigers.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Iron Bowl of soccer delivered. 

Maybe not in the sense of being a high-scoring match with plenty of offense, but in the sense of its arch of a story reaching a climax late in regular time. 

Final score: Alabama 1, Auburn 0.

"Massive win for us. We finished fifth in the league, which is the highest finish in 20-plus years [at Alabama]," Crimson Tide coach Wes Hart said. "We expended a ton of energy tonight both physically and emotionally. Nice to have a couple days rest."

Alabama had returned from a 4-0 defeat at South Carolina, falling to a 9-8-1 overall record as a result and looking to get a win before playing in the SEC Tournament that begins Sunday. 

No. 19 Auburn, 8-3 in the league, had a more consistent team throughout the season, and was playing for seeding in the single-elimination bracket.

It was scoreless at half, with Alabama leading all the requisite statistical categories which typically indicate a coming win. Shots, shots on goal, goalkeeper saves, it all favored the Crimson Tide during its final regular season matchup.

"We love playing at home," Hart said. "We were so good here this year and I love the support of our fans all year long."

Same was said for postgame statistics. But it was what led up to the final act.

Alabama Athletics

The 55th minute proved to be one of the decisive moments, when Hart entered midfielder Allie Berk into the game as a substitute. She would later score the game-clinching goal, her second of the season with the first coming against Utah Valley.

"Allie has been great for us," the Alabama coach said. "She is so good at holding up the ball and allowing us to play our brand of soccer."

Both goalkeepers, McKinley Crone of Alabama and Maddie Prohaska, were tested constantly, leaping and dirtying their uniforms by the minute it seemed. No one for either attack could ultimately force a shot past them for most of the match. 

In Crone's case, it didn't happen in 90 minutes.

Midfielder Macy Clem led Alabama in shots with three, as did forward Ashlynn Serepca. Then both midfielder Felicia Knox and Riley Tanner registered two attempts on goal.

All the while fans were growing anxious, playing out as complaints filed to whichever referee was nearest to them as time dwindled into the last moments. What followed, though, illustrated a rivalry at its core.

When presented with the chance, Berk swept up a chance in front of goal and finished it past Prohaska in the 82nd minute. It might as well have been the 90th, however, with how much excitement boiled over upon the final whistle.

"She doesn't get on the score sheet often, but this one was huge," Hart said.

Next stop the SEC Tournament 🔜⚽️#RollTide pic.twitter.com/HgSSVvvT2u

— Alabama Soccer (@AlabamaSoccer) October 29, 2021

Players and coaches on the bench raced to embrace Berk and others who were interlocked in a collective hug, for the win not only improved the Crimson Tide's SEC record to 5-4-1 but secured a bye in the upcoming SEC Tournament at Orange Beach Alabama. 

As the No. 6 seed, the Crimson Tide won't have to play again until Tuesday's quarterfinals, when it squares off against No. 3 Ole Miss. 

With the loss, Auburn slid to No. 5, and will match up against No. 4 South Carolina, on the side of the bracket anchored by top-seeded Arkansas. 

All tournament games will be shown on the SEC Network.