Sept. 5, 2014
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OXFORD, Miss. - The Auburn University soccer team won its fourth match in a row Friday night with a 3-0 victory over Memphis at the Ole Miss Soccer Complex in Oxford, Miss. Freshman Kristen Dodson scored her second goal of the year 15 minutes into the game for the game-winner, but the story, again, was the Tiger defense as it held Memphis to only eight shots, three on goal.
Along with Dodson, freshman Ellie Leek netted her second goal of the season early in the second half after a Memphis defensive breakdown and freshman Courtney Schell scored her first collegiate goal on a rocket from outside the box that found the high left corner of the net in the 55th minute.
Auburn finished the match with an 11-8 shot advantage, six finding the target. Goalkeeper Alyse Scott scored her third-straight shutout and fourth win of the year in the net for the Tigers, making three saves of her own on Friday.
"It almost didn't feel like a 3-0 game," Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa said. "I thought it was a real hard fought game. Memphis is a quality team. I was really happy with the way the girls responded in the second half. I thought we played a lot tougher and better soccer. We created some really good goals in the second half and are glad to get out of here with a 3-0 win."
Auburn (4-1-0) and Memphis (1-2-1) seemed to match up well defensively early in the match as both teams struggled to get open shots through the first ten minutes. Finally, Auburn came through in the form of Dodson, who received a nice free kick from junior Haley Gerken and was able to corral it after a deflection. Dodson settled it and was able to knock it in for her second goal of the year.
For Gerken, it's her fifth assist of the year, which currently leads the team and ups her point tally to five also, with still no goals.
"Kristen just played so well all game," Hoppa said. "I thought she was one of our best players, especially in the first half. She got a great ball from Gerken and did a great job moving her feet and doing what she needed to do to get the shot off."
"(Haley) Gerken had a great ball in," Dodson said after the win. "It got deflected in the box and I just followed after it and was able to head it into the net."
Auburn took that 1-0 lead into halftime, its second-straight game with the advantage at the break. Roughly seven minutes into the second frame, Auburn scored again after Leek was able to take the ball away inside the opponents box on a well-timed tackle and go one-on-one with the Memphis keeper. After a quick step to her right, Leek fired one in from 10 yards out and now has two goals this year.
Leek, Dodson and junior Logan Beal all lead the team with two goals apiece after Friday's victory, but Auburn was able to add another freshman to the firsts list as Courtney Schell got her first career goal just three minutes after Leek.
Before Memphis had a chance to settle its defense after Leek's goal, Schell spotted an opportunity on the far side of the field, well outside of the box. She right-footed one just over the keeper's head and into the high right corner of the net to give Auburn the 3-0 lead in the 55th minute.
"We always talk about how important that third goal is," Hoppa said. "Her goal was a rocket and it was really exciting to see her get her first goal."
"It was awesome," Schell said. "To have a far shot like that go in, it felt great."
Auburn will have Saturday off before getting back to the field on Sunday to face Big 10 opponent, Minnesota at noon to finish its Rebel Classic experience here in Oxford.
Fans can listen to the match on WEGL 91.1 FM in Auburn or online on AuburnTigers.com. Livestats will also be provided on AuburnTigers.com on the soccer schedule page.
For more information on Auburn soccer, visit AuburnTigers.com, follow the team on Twitter, @AuburnSoccer or follow them on Facebook at Facebook.com/AuburnSoccer.