Rossi lifts Lady Vols with late goal at Alabama

Tennessee eventually took the lead in the 86th minute as Kylee Rossi’s shot found the top corner of the far post in the 86th minute to lift Tennessee to a 2-1 women’s soccer victory over Alabama at a rainy Alabama Soccer Complex in Tuscaloosa on Thursday night.

The Crimson Tide had a corner kick with about 30 seconds left and played the ball into the box. The ball rattled around inside the six-yard box for what seemed to be an eternity with several Alabama players trying desperately to find the back of the net to tie the game, but was ultimately unsuccessful.

Alabama (9-6-1, 5-4 SEC) ventured out of its normal formation of a 4-4-2 into a 3-3-4 to match the speed of the No. 12 Lady Vols (11-2-2, 7-1-1) and aggressiveness up top.

"We did it simply to keep their backs from attacking us like that wanted to, the field was wet and slick tonight and we just wanted to keep things simple and move the ball forward," Alabama coach Don Staley said.

Tennessee scored first in the 10th minute. Emily Redberg broke away from the Crimson Tide defense and had a wide open shot she was able to slide inside the far post for a 1-0 lead.

The Crimson Tide tied the game just six minutes into the second half on Kelsey King’s first goal of the season. She was able to get behind the Tennessee defenders and took a shot from about 15 yards out just under diving keeper Jaimel Johnson in the middle of the net.

Johnson finished with seven saves.