No. 23 Georgia Opens SEC Play at No. 7 Alabama

No. 23 Georgia (3-1-2, 0-0-0 SEC) at No. 7 Alabama (5-0-3, 0-0-0)
Date: Thursday, Sept. 14
Time: 7 p.m. EDT
Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Site: Alabama Soccer Stadium (1,500)

MEDIA INFORMATION
TV / Live Stream: SEC Network (Mike Watts, PxP / Jill Loyden, Analyst)
Live Stats: RollTide.com
X: @UGASoccer
Instagram: @UGASoccer

Social Media: For complete information on Georgia soccer, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoccer on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: Georgia leads, 11-9-2
In Athens: Tied, 4-4-2
In Tuscaloosa: Tied, 5-5-0
Neutral: Georgia leads, 2-0-0
Last Meeting: Alabama – W, 2-1 (Sept. 28, 2022 – Athens, Ga.)
Current Streak: Alabama – W1
GF / GA: 40 / 33

QUICK KICKS
Rolling Into Conference Play
No. 23 Georgia opens Southeastern Conference play in style with a road trip to No. 7 Alabama Thursday evening. The match will be the Bulldogs' first ranked-vs.-ranked contest since the No. 22 Georgia defeated No. 14 South Carolina, 1-0, on Sept. 28, 2014. The Crimson Tide are coming off of an impressive tie against No. 3 North Carolina, as well as last season's SEC regular season title and College Cup appearance. Last season, Georgia fell, 2-1, to Alabama in Athens as the Tide scored early in both halves before the Bulldogs got on the board via an own goal. In its history, Georgia is 13-12-3 in SEC openers, including a dramatic 3-2 win last season at Texas A&M. Thursday's match will also mark the sixth time Georgia has opened conference play against Alabama, tied with South Carolina for the most of any opponent.

Tied Up with the Tigers
Georgia turned in its most complete effort of the season in a 1-1 tie against No. 9 Clemson last Sunday at the Turner Soccer Complex. After a scoreless first half, redshirt freshman Summer Denigan put the Bulldogs in front with her first career goal in the 50th minute. Although the Tigers would equalize 20 minutes later and hold on for the draw, the result allowed for the Bulldogs to return to this week's top 25. Another impressive aspect of the result was that Georgia faced a season-high 13 shots and allowed a season-high three corners from Clemson, but goalkeeper Jordan Brown nearly matched her season best with five saves.

Approaching Milestones
Georgia head coach Keidane McAlpine is nearing a historic achievement, entering Thursday's match with 198 career victories, setting him two away from 200 in his outstanding career. Additionally, the program is nearing a milestone 300th victory in program history, standing at 292 wins entering the Alabama matchup.

Dawg Bites

Georgia returned to the United Soccer Coaches rankings this week, moving back into the poll at No. 23.
Graduate midfielder Mallie McKenzie entered rarefied territory for a Bulldog in the Clemson match, eclipsing the 5,000-minute mark in her career. Additionally, she has moved into the program top-10 for match appearances with 81.
Junior defender Jessie Dunn remains the iron woman of the Bulldogs' roster, playing a full 90 minutes in both of last week's matches. Dunn has played 90+ in 12 of the Bulldogs' last 14 matches. Sophomore defender Cate Hardin has also become known for her endurance, tallying 90 minutes on three occasions this year.

A Stout Schedule
Georgia will face one of the nation's toughest schedules in 2023, beginning with a road match against No. 1 UCLA, followed by contests with No. 22 UCF, No. 9 Clemson, No. 10 South Carolina, and No. 9 Alabama. Georgia is also the only Power 5 program in the country to face an opponent from each of the other four leagues. WoSo Independent rated the schedule as the 10th-hardest nationally. The tough slate has also bolstered Georgia's national standing, with WoSo projecting the Bulldogs at No. 6 in RPI, the highest mark among SEC teams. The first official RPI will be released next Monday.

Up Next
Georgia returns home to close out non-conference play against San Francisco on Sunday, Sept. 17 at 11 a.m. Prior to the match, nine Bulldog seniors will be recognized in the annual Senior Day ceremony. The match will be streamed live on SEC Network+.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jordan Brown

Summer Denigan

Jessie Dunn

Cate Hardin

Mallie McKenzie