Oct. 31, 2012
ORANGE BEACH, Ala. - The Auburn soccer team advanced to the semifinals of the 2012 Southeastern Conference Soccer Tournament by winning a shootout over No. 19 Tennessee, 5-3, after the two teams played 120 minutes of scoreless soccer. The match, which goes down as a tie on both team's records, moves Auburn (11-9-1) into a rematch against second-seeded and No. 13 Texas A&M at 4pm on Friday.
"I think we just played the best soccer we've played all year," Auburn Head Coach Karen Hoppa said. "That's something we've tried to do all year, is to get better every weekend. We've got a young team and I think we got better from the first part of the season to the second, and I think we played our best soccer tonight. It showed against a really quality Tennessee team."
Auburn goalkeeper Amy Howard, who took over the Auburn career record for saves with six on the night to give her 360 in four seasons, added to her impressive list of accomplishments in the extra time as she stopped the lone shot Tennessee (14-4-3) put on goal in the two overtimes combined and then made a crucial save on Kylie Bono's penalty kick attempt to give Auburn the advantage.
"When you go into a shootout, the advantage is always to the shooters," Hoppa said. "We just asked our goalkeeper to make one save. That's all we needed. For Amy, she did. She got close to a couple, guessed wrong on a couple, but made that one save, but that's all we need. A senior goalkeeper helps continue our season."
"I was thinking that if I react - all they ask is just one - then we can do it," Howard said. "Our five shooters placed it so well, it was incredible. They won that for us and I was lucky enough to get one."
All five of Auburn's players to attempt a penalty kick converted on their chance on Tennessee goalkeeper Julie Eckel, who finished the match with eight saves.
Both teams persevered through what was a very physical match for all 120 minutes as Tennessee was whistled for 20 fouls, drew four yellow cards and a straight red in the 68th minute while Auburn was called for 10 fouls.
Auburn had never advanced on penalty kicks at the SEC Tournament as it's only other match that went the distance was a 2007 first round match against LSU, with LSU advancing 4-2.
Auburn will be looking to avenge and earlier season loss to Texas A&M when the two teams meet on Friday. Texas A&M claimed a 2-0 victory at College Station, Texas, on Sept. 23. Friday's match will air live on ESPN3.com.
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