Tiger Soccer Grinds Out Fourth Win In A Row; 2-0 Over Furman

Aug. 30, 2015

Auburn
Auburn
4-0-0
August 30, 2015
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2
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Furman Paladins
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0
0
#16 Auburn Tigers
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Furman
2-2-0
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AUBURN, Ala. - The 16th-ranked Auburn soccer team continued its strong start to the 2015 season, defeating Furman 2-0 Sunday afternoon at the Auburn Soccer Complex. The win is Auburn's fourth in a row to start the year and fourth shutout in a row as redshirt freshman goalkeeper picked up her fourth win.

Junior Casie Ramsier, who found the net twice on Friday in the win over UAB, found goal again on Sunday, putting one past the Furman keeper in the 68th minute for Auburn's final goal of the match. Ramsier, now with three goals on the year, leads the team in the category and also led the team in shots on Sunday with six.

Even though Ramsier's goal put the match out of reach for Furman, Auburn's goal to break the scoreless tie came off the foot of sophomore Hannah Alspach in the 9th minute, her first of the season.

Alspach, who was racing down the right sideline on the Auburn counter, received the ball from sophomore Ellie Leek just outside the box. Alspach lined up from nearly 20 yards out and fired at the goal from a tough angle. Furman's keeper Rose Hull came out to receive it, but it was too high as it slipped through her fingers and sailed into the upper left corner, giving Auburn the 1-0 lead.

Leek was a part of both goals Sunday afternoon, as was Alspach. In the 68th minute, Auburn found itself on another counter-attack after Alspach tacked the ball away at midfield. Alspach found Leek, who one-touched it to Ramsier as she was crashing the box hard. Ramsier strong kicked the right foot into the net for the 2-0 lead.

Just minutes before, Ramsier collided with a Furman defender deep in the box and had to be subbed off the field. Ramsier didn't need much time on the bench as she returned and scored on her first touch back in the game.

For the fourth-straight game, Auburn's defense played like a brick wall, limiting Furman to just four shots, one coming on target. Le Beau was able to knock that one away, but it was the same kind of story for the defense. Over these four matches to start the year, Auburn has held its opponents to a combined 31 shots, 13 at goal and still no scores. It's currently the best start, defensively, in Auburn history as the 2006 team that started 5-0-0 yielded one goal through its first four matches and the 2004 team that started 5-0-0 also allowed two goals through four matches.

Post-game Quotes from head coach Karen Hoppa and selected players:

"To win at home like we did against two quality teams, it feels great. We played good on Friday and it's always tough to turn around on a Sunday afternoon in the heat. We did a good job to keep the high energy in this game, which is something we wanted. Obviously, our finishing percentage has to be loads better. I think we left too many on the table in this game, but we did enough to win and I'm certainly happy with the result." - Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa

"I give the credit to our start to the leadership on this team, particularly the back line with Kala (Faulkner), Kiana (Clarke). They've been tremendous leaders for us and kept the game under control. As good as our defense has been, it gives the rest of the team confidence to just find a way because at this point, all we need is one. We just keep battling and battling and our defense stays engaged. They keep everything in front of them and not letting the opponents be dangerous right now. It's certainly something we have to continue and be much more effective offensively." - Head coach Karen Hoppa

Turning Point

With the match still 1-0 in favor of the Tigers, Furman was pressuring for a chance to try and equalize the match with just over 20 minutes left to play. After having to leave the field for an apparent injury in the 60th minute, Casie Ramsier returned to the field, scoring just seven minutes later on a great counter-attack started by Hannah Alspach at mid-field. Alspach found Ellie Leek, who sent a perfect touch pass to a streaking Ramsier staying onsides. Ramsier finished with the right foot and the keeper had no chance.

Up Next

Auburn remains at home for the next two matches as Samford and Old Dominion come to The Plains on Friday and Sunday, respectively. Samford will face Auburn on Friday at 7 p.m., while Old Dominion will come in on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both matches can be seen on SEC Network+ via the Watch ESPN app or WatchESPN.com.

Fans can also listen to Sunday's match on WEGL 91.1 FM locally in Auburn or on AuburnTigers.com for free.

For more information on Auburn soccer, visit AuburnTigers.com, follow the team on Twitter, @AuburnSoccer or follow them on Facebook at Facebook.com/AuburnSoccer.