The Georgia soccer team quickly put to rest any potential fears of suffering a hangover after a heartbreaking loss to Florida on Sunday.

Powered by three first half goals, the Bulldogs (13-3-1, 6-3-0 SEC) cruised to an easy 3-0 victory over Alabama (6-8-1, 2-5-1 SEC) Thursday night at the UGA Soccer Stadium.

“This was a tough one because Alabama is on the outside looking in for the SEC tournament and we were desperate for these three points,” Georgia head coach Patrick Baker said.

“This is the only team we’ve beaten every time over the past three years and we needed a good performance.”

After 10 uneventful minutes, the Bulldogs picked up the intensity and began to dominate the Crimson Tide, as they scored all three of their goals in a four minute, 24-second stretch.

In the 18th minute, Georgia’s Carrie Patterson picked off an Alabama back pass inside the 18-yard box, juked the goalkeeper out of position and deposited a shot into the back of the net past a helpless Alabama defender.

Two minutes later, Caroline Simpson headed in a beautiful cross from Rebekah Perry to give Georgia a 2-0 advantage.

In the 22nd minute, after being hauled down on a vicious tackle by Alabama’s Alex Butera (who was issued a red card), Ashley Miller took her revenge with a bending strike from the left side of the 18-yard box past the outstretched arm of Alabama keeper Justine Bernier.

“It was nice to finally get a shot to go in the goal,” Miller said.

Added Baker: “Ashley has been due for a goal for a while. She’s been fouled a lot this season and I thought she’s handled it really well, but what a great strike. I really look forward to seeing that in the video clips tonight.”

Alabama failed to record a single attempted shot in the first half. In all, Georgia out shot the Crimson Tide 21-1 for the game.