Oct. 25, 2013
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AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn women's soccer team earned its first SEC victory of the season on Friday night, defeating Arkansas 3-1 at the Auburn Soccer Complex. With the victory, Auburn keeps its Southeastern Conference Tournament berth hopes alive and moves to 5-8-4 on the season and 1-5-3 in the SEC.
The Tigers were propelled by a first half goal by reigning SEC Freshman of the Weekk, Casie Ramsier, and second half goals from sophomore defender Kala Faulkner and junior midfielder Tori Ball. For Ramsier, she continues to hold her team-lead of seven goals on the year, while Ball netted her fifth of the season. For Faulkner, tonight's goal was her first of the season and second of her career.
"We were really proud of our team tonight," Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa said. "Arkansas is a great team. They had a lot of wins already and were aggressive in their attack, but I thought our team's defense was outstanding. They did a great job keeping the ball in front of them. Our offense did a particularly good job in the second half in keeping the pressure on them and off our backs."
Auburn's defense withstood a tough Arkansas attack that tallied eight shots in the match, with three on goal, all in the second half. Junior goalkeeper Alicen Wright scored her second win of the season, allowing only one goal on the night.
The Tigers found the net first with 25 minutes left in the first half as senior defender Bianca Sierra paced down the right side of the field before passing to a wide open Kim Spence, who was just outside the 18-yard box. Spence then connected a laser-pass to Ramsier, who was able to tip in the pass just in front of goal giving her team the early lead.
Arkansas evened the match 13 minutes later as Allie Tripp was able to head in a cross from Jeriann Okoro from four yards out off the free-kick. Okoro's kick landed just feet in front of the goal line where Tripp headed it in off the bounce just to Wright's right side.
In the second half the Tigers came out determined to regain the lead, which it did scoring five minutes into the period off of a Samantha Solaru corner. Solaru sailed the pass into the box and the ball was met by Faulkner's head as she was able to arch it over Arkansas' goalkeeper, Cameron Carter. The goal was Faulkner's first of the season and ended up being the game-winner.
With time winding down, Auburn found insurance from junior captain Tori Ball after she sealed the victory for with 3:15 left in the match. Ball was able to break free on a long clear from the Tiger defense and only had the goalkeeper to beat. Ball rifled it over Carter's head from 16-yards out for her fifth goal of the year, good for second on the team.
Auburn will return to action for the final home regular season match of the year against Vanderbilt at 2 p.m. at the Auburn Soccer Complex. Before the match, Auburn will recognize its three seniors, Bianca Sierra, Maddie Barnes and Kim Spence.
For complete coverage of the Auburn soccer team, be sure to check AuburnTigers.com, follow them on Twitter, @AU_Soccer or like the Auburn University soccer page on Facebook.