The Alabama women’s soccer team have played many close games this season, and Thursday night was no different. Alabama (9-7-1, 4-3-1) beat the Kentucky Wildcats (6-9-2, 0-8) in overtime, 2-1.

The Wildcats remain winless in the Southeastern Conference this season.

Kentucky scored the first in the 14th minute on a breakaway goal from midfielder Marissa Bosco. Bosco’s fourth goal of the season gave the Wildcats an early 1-0 advantage.

For the next 20 minutes, the Crimson Tide struggled to gain momentum. It seemed like every time they touched the ball, they were returning it to Kentucky.

Then it started pouring into the Alabama football complex. The rain set off the Crimson Tide.

Alabama midfielder Reyna Reyes scored his third goal of the season in the 36th minute on a free kick from midfielder Felicia Knox. Knox found defender Tanna Sanchez-Carreto who punched him on Reyes. This goal tied the game before half-time.

The game went crazy in the second half.

In the 65th minute, Kentucky was head to head with McKinley Crone, but the shot hit the right post and out of play.

Two minutes later, the Wildcats wanted an in-box handball called Alabama, but neither of the umpires called.

In the 70th minute, Alabama midfielder Macy Clem scored the go-ahead goal, but he was struck off the board for offside.

A few possessions later, Alabama forward Ashlynn Serepca hit the crossbar on a shot attempt.

After a streak where it looked like the ball was going out of bounds, the Wildcats fired a shot on goal that hit one of the goal wheels. Kentucky got a corner.

If that wasn’t enough to shock fans, an 84th-minute Alabama shot on goal hit a Kentucky defenseman in the box. Once again, head referee Shane Butler disagreed.

Both teams entered overtime feeling like they had been robbed of victory.

The game was won just over a minute into extra time when midfielder Kat Rogers passed a back heel pass to forward Riley Tanner. Tanner shot the ball through the net to give Alabama the victory.

It was Tanner’s second game-winning goal this season, with the other coming against Missouri in the 85th minute.

“Riley was exceptional,” said Alabama head coach Wes Hart. “Unfortunately for her and for us, she missed several games at the start of the season with an ankle injury. But since her return, she has been a major player for us. She’s incredibly dynamic on the dribble. Very few teams had an answer for it.

Crimson Tide’s victory secures its place in the SEC tournament in Orange Beach, Alabama. The tournament starts on October 31.

“Very happy that we landed a spot at Orange Beach with two games to go,” said Hart. “Takes a little pressure off us. Now we are focused on moving up the standings to the top six to secure a pass in the first round. “

There are two games left at Crimson Tide before Orange Beach.

Alabama’s next game is Sunday, Oct. 24 in Columbia, SC against the South Carolina Gamecocks. The game is scheduled for noon CT on ESPNU.