On Sunday, Sept. 25, Union’s women’s soccer team shut out Spring Hill 1-0, their third shutout of the year, bringing their overall record to 3-6 this season, and the men’s soccer team tied Spring Hill 0-0, making their overall record 3-6-1.
Both teams lost to the University of West Florida on Friday, Sept. 23, with a final score of 0-1 and 1-2 for the women’s and men’s teams respectively.
Despite four losses in conference early on, Josh Alford, head coach for the women’s soccer team, likes where the team is headed.
“We’re happy with the grit and grind of the girls,” Alford said. “And getting respectable results against high-level competition.”
Sophomore nursing major Rachel Shane scored the winning goal against Spring Hill just before halftime when her teammate Shaylynn Bentley, a freshman exercise science major, played across into the box, setting her up to take the shot.
But Alford thinks the outcome of the next two games could determine the results of the season.
“Two wins this weekend gets us right in the mix to probably be top eight,” Alford said. “And that’s where we want to finish to get to the conference tournament. This program has only done that once in the history of the program. That’s what we’re aiming to do.”
The men’s team and Spring Hill played a close game, with both teams getting 17 shots off. Junior business major Botond Nemeth recorded 90:00 in the net as goalkeeper notching 10 saves.
Junior business major Jorge Gutierrez, who plays midfield for the team, does not think the issue lies in the team’s ability.
“I think the problem is more mentally than physically,” Gutierrez said. “It’s not a physical issue, definitely. Maybe we need to improve certain parts of the game for example set pieces we always struggle a lot, especially against Montevallo and Auburn because they are good at that.”
Gutierrez was optimistic about the rest of the season but stressed the importance of the next two games against Alabama Huntsville and the University of West Alabama in Livingston.
“I mean the most important game is on Friday because Alabama Huntsville hasn’t won any games this season,” Gutierrez said. “Livingston has been doing better but if we get there after winning against Alabama Huntsville, it will put us in a really good spot. Probably back in the top six.”
Both teams will face off against the University of Alabama in Huntsville this Friday, Sept. 30, and the University of West Alabama on Sunday, Oct. 2.
Photo by UU Athletics.
