The Alabama soccer team dropped its 2018 home opener, falling to FGCU, 4-2, Friday night at the Alabama Soccer Complex. The Crimson Tide (0-2-1) fell behind early and never recovered.
FGCU (2-0), the eight-time defending A-SUN champions and preseason pick to win its league, began scoring when Cassidy Morgan deposited a rebound off her own shot into the back of the net. Holly Fritz outran an Alabama defender and beat goalkeeper Alex Plavin for two-goal advantage.
The Eagles began the second half by scoring just 20 seconds into the period when Marjorie Boilesen tallied the eventual game-winner on a breakaway, giving her team a three-goal cushion. FGCU took an insurmountable 4-0 lead in the 76th minute on Evdokia Popadinova’s goal.
The Crimson Tide had pair of goals in the final nine minutes. Sophomore forward Casey Wertz received a cross from sophomore defender Nealy Martin and finished a shot to put Alabama on the board. The Tide’s final goal came courtesy of an own goal by FGCU to result in the final score.
Alabama owned an 18-15 edge in total shots and a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks. Plavin made a career-high nine saves in the losing effort.
Alabama hosts Kennesaw State at 6 p.m. Sunday.
