TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama soccer team bounced back in a big way as it downed Arkansas, 3-0, Friday night at the Alabama Soccer Stadium. With the win, the Crimson Tide improve to 7-6-2 overall and 2-4-1 in Southeastern Conference play.

"We got off to a fast start and were able to establish possession and territory early," Alabama head coach Todd Bramble said. "We felt good all week in training and were ready to play. This is a resilient team and you saw the fruits of that tonight."

The Tide found its form in front of its home crowd, scoring two goals in the first half to pull away from Arkansas (4-10-0, 2-5-0 SEC) early.

UA was knocking on the door with constant pressure on the Arkansas goal, firing off 16 first half shots. The Tide broke through in the 26th minute when sophomore Molly Atherton chipped the Razorback keeper from 18 yards to hand UA the early 1-0 lead.

The goal was set up from the Alabama defensive third as redshirt freshman Theresa Diederich found newcomer Pia Rijsdijk near the right sideline, who then found Atherton atop the box.

Rijsdijk was then on the scoring end, finding the back of the net for the third time this season, capitalizing on a Kendall Khanna shot that caromed off the Arkansas keeper for an easy put-back from six yards out.

Atherton struck again, this time dialing in from long distance. The sophomore struck a laser, near-post from 30 yards out, to give Alabama a 3-0 lead at the 53-minute mark.

The Tide finished the match out-shooting the Razorbacks, 26-12. Rijsdijk led the way with a game-high eight shots. Allie Chandler paced Arkansas with four shots.

Justine Bernier recorded her fifth clean sheet on the season and school record 19th for her career on the strength of five saves. Emily Lillard allowed the three goals and tallied six saves for Arkansas.

Alabama will return to its home pitch to host LSU for its "Power of Pink" game. The two teams will meet on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 1 p.m.

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