Nov. 2, 2007
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Chelsea Yauch scored a one-touch goal off of a Kara Kasten pass in the 65th minute as Auburn held on to defeat Alabama, 1-0, on Friday night and retain the Iron Bowl of Soccer Trophy. The win also propelled Auburn to the fifth seed in the conference standings, meaning Auburn will face LSU in next week's SEC Tournament opening round in Orange Beach.
"We expect nothing less in the Iron Bowl. It was a great match, it was a tough match," Auburn Head Coach Karen Hoppa said. "Alabama came after us hard but (Allison) Whitworth made some great saves and Kara and Chelsea connected on a great goal for the game-winner."
Caitlin King got the play going on Yauch's goal when she found an uncovered Kasten on the bench-side of the field. Kasten took a handful of dribbles up the sideline before sending in a hip-high cross that Yauch one-touched in for her second goal of the season.
"Kara played me a great ball and it just felt great to get it in," Yauch said.
"We had been getting a few through balls and we just couldn't connect at the end until Chelsea put it in," Kasten said.
The two teams played a scoreless first half with Alabama firing nine shots to Auburn's three. Whitworth was forced to make four saves in the first 45 for Auburn, none bigger than the diving save to her right in the 20th minute on an Alex Butera shot towards the post.
Whitworth finished the match with six saves while facing 15 Alabama shots. Auburn finished with nine shots.
Auburn and LSU will battle at 7:30pm CT on Wednesday, Nov. 7, at the Orange Beach Soccer Complex in the final match of the first day of the tournament.