By Caden Johnson
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Tide continue to be tested throughout the season with tough conference opponents, and they continue to emerge victorious.
On Sunday, Alabama faced their biggest test of the year so far when the seventh ranked Razorbacks came into Tuscaloosa, looking to upset the second ranked Tide.
In a battle between the two best teams in the SEC West, only one could come out on top. However, the game seemed to be at a stalemate for 83 minutes, with both teams seemingly stuck at one goal a piece.
Arkansas struck first in the 17th minute from a goal by Ava Tankersley. The Tide bounced back quickly, with a Gessica Skorka goal off a Gianna Paul assist in the 25th minute.
Tide freshman Gianna Paul continues to make a huge impact on the team this year, accounting for 14 points with five goals and four assists, including her assist to Skorka today. Paul was recognized as the SEC Freshman of the Week last week and will continue to be crucial to the Tide’s success moving forward.
The second half was an absolute battle between the two teams. Things got chippy in the second half with a player from each side picking up a yellow card, including Tide star Felicia Knox receiving one close to the 86th minute.
The intensity continued to rise with defenses trying to hold strong to not give up a potentially game winning goal. That intensity finally became too much for the Razorbacks, as they fouled Tide forward Ashlynn Serepca inside the box in the 83rd minute, resulting in the game winning penalty kick.
The Tide picked up yet another big win, continuing to prove they deserve their spot as the number two ranked team in the country.
Alabama will be back in action on Thursday, when they travel to Starkville, Mississippi to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
