Ole Miss women’s soccer falls at Alabama
MaryKate McGuire scores seventh goal of the year
In a top-25 matchup, No. 20 Ole Miss was unable to withstand a tough test Thursday at No. 4 Alabama, falling 4-1 to the Crimson Tide. The Rebels took the lead early but allowed four unanswered goals.
In an action-packed first half, the Ole Miss (9-2-2) offense started on the attack right as the whistle blew. From the opening kickoff, Ole Miss kept the ball in the attacking third, taking its first shot on Alabama (12-1-1) in the 3rd minute.
Forward Marykate McGuire sprinted up the right sideline with one Alabama defender to beat. McGuire made a move to the middle, dodging the Crimson Tide defender and keeper, then curved a low ball into the open net for her seventh goal of the season. Ole Miss took the lead 12 minutes into the game, 1-0.
Alabama responded quickly, scoring two goals within 30 seconds of each other in the 16th minute. The Crimson Tide continued to push, netting its third goal of the half nine minutes later to carry 3-1 lead into the halftime break.
The Crimson Tide stayed hot in the second half yet the Ole Miss defense kept them at bay for much of the final 45 minutes. Alabama added one more goal in the 71st minute to extend its lead up 4-1, yet the Rebels did not have enough gas in the tank to respond.
Ashley Orkus notched six saves on 19 shots faced throughout the game. Orkus is three saves away from breaking the Ole Miss career saves record.
Ole Miss looks to turn things around at home against Texas A&M on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT. The matchup against the Aggies can be seen nationally on ESPNU.
