Aug. 17, 2012
AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn offense peppered the Georgia State goal for 28 shots but couldn't solve its goalkeeper until the 78th minute as the soccer team kicked off the 2012 season with a 1-0 win on Friday night at the Auburn soccer complex.
Mary Coffed netted the game-winner for Auburn, the 12th goal of her career but just her second game-winner. Found at the top of the 18 by freshman Haley Gerken, Coffed went upper 90 to the opposite side to beat Georgia State goalkeeper Rebecca Ingram for the game's only score. Tatiana Coleman had the second assist, the ninth assist of her career.
"I feel like I have taken that shot a million times in my life and I am glad that one went in the back of the net," Coffed said.
"There was a little bit of a sigh of relief when Coffed finally put that one in," Auburn Head Coach Karen Hoppa said. "Any time you can start the season out 1-0 you are obviously happy. It is always going to be a little rusty and certainly our finishing was rusty (in the first game of the year), but also give their goalkeeper credit, she made some great saves."
Auburn thoroughly dominated the match, putting half (14) of its shots on frame while Georgia State could muster just one shot, a non-threatening kick from 30 yards out that sailed well wide of the Auburn net. Coleman led Auburn with seven shots, putting three into Ingram's midsection, while midfielder Ana Cate had six, four of which went on frame. Coffed also placed four of her five shots on goal.
With the offense controlling the run of play, Auburn's defense kept its goalkeeper, Amy Howard, from facing any shots. Co-captain Mary Nicholson, playing in the center-back, was one of the main reasons why.
"We were a little nervous with some new people in the lineup but they all played great; All the freshmen stepped up big-time," Nicholson said. "We played multiple people in the back but it started with our front runners and the midfielders played great defense too."
The shutout was the 16th of Howard's career and the third time in her four-year career that she started the year with a blanking.
Auburn returns to the field on Sunday at 2pm when it plays host to High Point. Admission is free.
Auburn-Georgia State Box Score
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