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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Thursday, September 13
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
7 PM
Ole Miss
7-2, 1-0
1
at
0
Alabama
5-3-1, 0-1
1
2
F
Ole Miss
1
0
1
Alabama
0
0
0
Rebel Soccer Opens SEC Play with Road Win at Alabama
9/13/2018 | Soccer
Ole Miss Holds Off Ferocious Second Half Crimson Tide Attack
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Molly Martin snagged a lead for Ole Miss (7-2, 1-0 SEC) just before the halftime whistle and the Rebels made the lone goal stand up, holding off a relentless Alabama (5-3-1, 0-1 SEC) attack in the second half to open up Southeastern Conference play with a massive three points.
Marnie Merritt was only forced to make three saves on the night but the senior's presence was felt in many other ways as well. The Huntersville, North Carolina native was pivotal in helping keep the defense's shape and was quick to come off her line when called upon.
After a short feeling-out period to open the game, the first half belonged to the Rebels. Although the two teams each registered four shots in the first 45 minutes, it was Ole Miss that created the most dangerous chances.
Just when it looked like the Rebels would have to settle for a 0-0 score line at the break, Martin broke through with a headed goal in the 45th-minute, setup by a corner kick delivery by Madison Smith and a header back across the face of goal by Grace Johnson.
The second half of play started off pretty evenly but with a lead in hand the Rebels were happy to put numbers behind the ball and utilize their defensive shape to maintain the advantage.
The Crimson Tide produced a few near chances, including a narrowly wide attempt that fooled the Tide fanbase into a frenzy, but the Rebels were able to hold on until the final whistle.
Having completed its five-match road swing, the Rebels will thankfully return to the comforts of the Ole Miss Soccer Stadium on Sunday, closing out non-conference play with a derby duel with the Memphis Tigers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with the match set to be streamed on SEC Network +.
Kickers
• The shutout effort was the first time since 2005 that Ole Miss opened SEC play with a clean sheet.
• Ole Miss improves to 7-5 all-time in Tuscaloosa, including 4-1 during the Matt Mott era.
• Marnie Merritt recorded the 21st clean sheet of her Rebel career, putting the senior just two shutouts shy of breaking the school-record.
• The Rebel defense played a big part in preserving the clean sheet, posting four blocks on Alabama shot attempts.
• Molly Martin's first half goal was the fourth of her collegiate career. Martin becomes the 11th Rebel to open her account for the 2018 season.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss Soccer on Twitter at @OleMissSoccer, on Facebook at Facebook.com/OleMissSoccer, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/officialolemisssoccer. Also follow head coach Matt Mott on Twitter at @CoachMattMott.
Marnie Merritt was only forced to make three saves on the night but the senior's presence was felt in many other ways as well. The Huntersville, North Carolina native was pivotal in helping keep the defense's shape and was quick to come off her line when called upon.
After a short feeling-out period to open the game, the first half belonged to the Rebels. Although the two teams each registered four shots in the first 45 minutes, it was Ole Miss that created the most dangerous chances.
Just when it looked like the Rebels would have to settle for a 0-0 score line at the break, Martin broke through with a headed goal in the 45th-minute, setup by a corner kick delivery by Madison Smith and a header back across the face of goal by Grace Johnson.
The second half of play started off pretty evenly but with a lead in hand the Rebels were happy to put numbers behind the ball and utilize their defensive shape to maintain the advantage.
The Crimson Tide produced a few near chances, including a narrowly wide attempt that fooled the Tide fanbase into a frenzy, but the Rebels were able to hold on until the final whistle.
Having completed its five-match road swing, the Rebels will thankfully return to the comforts of the Ole Miss Soccer Stadium on Sunday, closing out non-conference play with a derby duel with the Memphis Tigers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with the match set to be streamed on SEC Network +.
Kickers
• The shutout effort was the first time since 2005 that Ole Miss opened SEC play with a clean sheet.
• Ole Miss improves to 7-5 all-time in Tuscaloosa, including 4-1 during the Matt Mott era.
• Marnie Merritt recorded the 21st clean sheet of her Rebel career, putting the senior just two shutouts shy of breaking the school-record.
• The Rebel defense played a big part in preserving the clean sheet, posting four blocks on Alabama shot attempts.
• Molly Martin's first half goal was the fourth of her collegiate career. Martin becomes the 11th Rebel to open her account for the 2018 season.
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss Soccer on Twitter at @OleMissSoccer, on Facebook at Facebook.com/OleMissSoccer, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/officialolemisssoccer. Also follow head coach Matt Mott on Twitter at @CoachMattMott.
Team Stats
OM
UA
Goals
1
0
Shots
9
17
Shots on Goal
5
3
Saves
3
4
Corners
3
5
Fouls
9
14
Scoring Plays
Molly Martin (1)
Assisted By: Madison Smith , Grace Johnson
Off corner kick
44:51
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
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