FGCU W. Soc @ Alabama Preview

The FGCU women's soccer team (1-0) prepare for their first official road game as they travel to Tuscaloosa to take on Power 5 Conference team Alabama (0-1-1).

Last Time Out:
The Eagles began their season with a 3-0 win over Georgia Southern at home in the "Battle of the Eagles".

In a wave of white from the whiteout at home, the Eagles had goals shot by sophomore Hope Van Wagner and juniors Marjorie "Ma" Boilesen and Evdokia "Evi" Popadinova.

This past Sunday, FGCU was initially scheduled to #16 UCF for their first of two road games, however, due to Mother Nature taking place in Orlando, the game was cancelled and no makeup game would be made.

Big Debuts:
Popadinova was one of seven players that made their official debuts for FGCU. Popadinova transferred from NAIA Northwestern Ohio.

In addition, Popadinova was one of three newcomers to be in the starting lineup. Joining her was fellow junior Opall Curless and freshman Ashlee Brentlinger.

Curless spent her first two years at Syracuse before joining FGCU with two years of eligibility remaining while Brentlinger graduated from Padua Academy.

Freshman Alyssa Abbondandolo, Kara Kyramarios, Brianna Hatfield and Logan Oldani also made their debuts off the bench.

Returns:
Redshirt sophomores Megan Young and Tori Dorr made their returns to the field. Both sat out the entire 2017 season due to injury. Young was in the starting lineup against Georgia Southern.

Although she made her official debut against Georgia Southern, redshirt freshman Morgan Hawes made her return after sitting out the entire 2017 season due to injury.

Polls List:
FGCU found themselves ranked in the first United Soccer Coaches regional rankings this week. The Eagles are at #8 in the South Region while USF and Cincinnati are at 1-2 in the poll after each went 1-1 in the opening week.

Scouting Roll Tide:
Alabama opened their season in Texas as they faced fellow Power 5 Conference member Texas Christian University (TCU) and the University of North Texas.

In the game against the Horned Frogs, the Crimson Tide fell 0-1 to open the season in Ft. Worth before travelling to Denton, Texas for 1-1 draw against the Mean Green.

Senior Abbie Boswell leads the Roll Tide at the moment with the lone goal that she had in the 1-1 draw against North Texas while playing off the bench.

In the opening game against TCU, the Ball State transfer that won the MAC Freshman of the Year started that game.

Boswell has logged in 98 minutes so far.

For goalkeepers, sophomore Alex Plavin started the game against TCU, but was issued a red card and ejected from the game. Plavin finished the game with four saves in 54 minutes. Plavin will start against the Eagles after serving a one-game suspension

The backup goalkeeper for Plavin is redshirt freshman Kaylee Hammer. Hammer logged in 145 minutes and leads the team in saves (9).

Hammer subbed in for Plavin following the red card and gave up both goals in the loss to TCU and the draw against North Texas.

Series History:
This will be the second time FGCU and Alabama play each other. The first time was on September 8, 2016 where the Eagles lost 1-0 at home, so this will be a rematch.

How to Watch:
The game will be available livestream on SECN+ via Watch ESPN (ESPN+).

Livestats will also be available for those that can't watch the game livestream.

Links for livestream: http://www.espn.com/watch/_/id/3422201/florida-gulf-coast-vs-alabama-w-soccer

Link for Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/alabama/wsoc/