Aug. 28, 2008
Alabama Game Notes 
Memphis, Tenn. - The Memphis women's soccer team faces off against the University of Alabama Crimson Tide and new head coach Todd Bramble at Mike Rose Soccer Complex on Friday, Aug. 29 at 5:00 p.m. This game marks the regular season opener for the Crimson Tide. The only exhibition match for Alabama was played in the preseason at home against Jackson State. The Crimson Tide scored four goals in the opening half and recorded a shutout. Sophomore forward Victoria Frederick posted a hat trick on five shots and notched an assist in the 5-0 contest.
The Lady Tigers opened up the 2008 regular season Aug. 22 with a 2-0 victory over the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans. The brightest star of Friday night was freshman Lizzy Simonin who notched her first career assist and netted her first collegiate goal to put the game out of reach. Kylie Hayes headed the initial goal for the Lady Tigers 12:44 into the game.
Memphis is coming off a single game weekend and prepare for only Alabama this weekend. Coach Monaghan spoke about his preparation throughout the week and how he is gearing his team up for the rest of the season.
"We're still ironing out some things and getting used to playing with one another," Monaghan noted. "Right now we have not had an enormous focus on Alabama, but more on ourselves and our own personal framework. By no means does that mean we are taking Alabama lightly because they play in a fantastic conference and we expect them to be very good, but right now we're still focusing in on ourselves. We feel like if we do everything that we are capable of that we'll have a good chance to win games."
The success of new Crimson Tide head coach Todd Bramble can not go overlooked though. Bramble had an outstanding tenure at the helm of the Clemson women's soccer program. Monaghan spoke about the success of Bramble and how he is preparing the Lady Tigers for the Crimson Tide.
"Alabama is going to be a team that will be hard to get a good grasp of because they haven't played a lot of games," Monaghan said. "Coach Bramble had several accomplishments within the ACC which is one of the top conferences in the country for women's soccer. Even though we have faced them in the past, it is difficult to pinpoint how they will play because their new coach brings new ideas and a new style of play to Alabama."
The contest will be the third for Memphis who has already faced three formidable opponents including Soccer Buzz No. 2 and NSCAA No. 5 Notre Dame. This will be the first game of the year for the Crimson Tide and the commencement of Bramble's era at Alabama. Monaghan knows the Crimson Tide will be ready for the weekend.
"I guarantee that they are going to be fired up because we are their first game," Monaghan said. "Alabama has always had a strong program and I expect that coach Bramble to have them well prepared for us. We know for sure that we will have a battle on our hands Friday evening."
The Memphis Diadora Tournament is also this weekend. The women's game against Alabama is set between two of the tournament games. At 3:00 p.m. on Friday UAB faces off against Oral Roberts, the Lady Tigers take on Alabama at 5:00 p.m., and immediately following Memphis men will take on Bradley at 7:30 p.m. in their first regular season contest.
