Nov. 22, 2015
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The 19th-ranked Auburn Soccer endured its toughest match of the season Sunday, going toe-to-toe with the defending national champion and top-seeded Florida State Seminoles, but could not break through with the goals it needed as it fell, 2-0, in the Round of 16, ultimately, ending its season.
Florida State capitalized on two tough plays for Auburn as its first goal came off a rebound in the 25th minute and the second being an own goal just three minutes later. Courtney Schell tried to clear the ball away right in front of the net, but couldn't get the right touch needed to prevent the ball from going in.
"I thought our team had a good game plan today," Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa said after the game. "I thought we executed really well, but we just didn't take our chances. I knew we weren't going to get a lot against a quality possession team like Florida State. We had some opportunities, we just didn't put them away when we could. I'm really proud of this team. They made it interesting towards the end, but we just couldn't capitalize."
The loss ends Auburn's historical season with a 16-6-1 overall record. The 16 wins set a new program record for wins in a season and the Tigers played their first Sweet 16 game in program history.
Florida State (17-2-4) ripped off 22 shots in the contest, 10 coming on goal, but Auburn keeper Sarah Le Beau had one of her best games of the season, saving eight shots and keeping the Tigers well within striking distance. The eight saves ties her career-high for the third time this year.
Kaycie Tillman scored the first goal for the Seminoles from two yards away after a Natalia Kuikka shot was saved by Le Beau in the 25th minute.
Even with the large number of shots put up by the Seminoles, Auburn's defense kept Florida State in check for all 90 minutes. Senior Kala Faulkner and Kiana Clarke battled for each ball that came into the box and never gave FSU many good looks at the net.
Faulkner finishes her career with 91 games played, just one off the school-record set by Mary Coffed. Faulkner was also a major part of the nine shutouts notched this year including a streak of six-straight to open the season.
"I'm very proud of the team," Faulkner said. "Just coming from freshman year and seeing the emotions of the seniors at that time like Amy Howard and Mary Coffed; and just kind of learning from that and seeing the progress that we have made. Each team, each year knowing that you want to make history. This year with the adversity that we've been put through and things that we accomplished; upsetting teams like Florida and Texas A&M, making it to the sweet 16 and making history, it has just been an unbelievable season."
Even with the two-goal deficit coming out of halftime, Auburn came out with some extra pep to start the second half. The Tigers tried to work their way down the flank with Samantha Solaru, much like what was seen on Friday in the win over Texas Tech. But, each time Auburn got a clean cross into the box, Florida State cleared the ball away.
Midway through the second half, Auburn got on the counter-attack and Casie Ramsier found herself in a 1v1 with Florida State keeper, Cassie Miller. Ramsier tried to shake Miller, but as Miller came in for the slide tackle, Ramsier's tap on the ball went just right of the post.
After the game, Ramsier touted the outgoing senior class, knowing that she will be looked at as the senior leader next season.
"This senior class has done amazing things for this program, not only this year but all the previous years," Ramsier said. "It has been a blessing to play with them. I am thankful I get to learn from this and hopefully use it next year and just share the emotion that they have shown us all year. With how much they have pushed us whether it has been on or off the field, they have pushed us in so many ways and brought this team to be better than we could have ever imagined. I am thankful to have shared time with them."
Auburn finishes the 2015 season with a 16-6-1 record, seven wins coming in conference play. Sarah Le Beau finished with an identical record between the pipes, making 81 saves this season with nine shutouts.
On the offensive end, 11 different players scored at least one goal for Auburn. Casie Ramsier led all Auburn goal scorers with 12 goals, tying for the second-most in a season by an Auburn player. Brooke Ramsier, who notched her 11th assist of the season Friday against Texas Tech, finished tops on the team in that category with 17 points, both new career-highs for a season.
"I was proud of them," Hoppa said. "I was every bit as proud of them today as I was on Friday when they won. Once we get past the emotion of the loss, they're going to look back on this season with a lot of fun memories. It was a special year. They made history and they set some records. They need to hold their heads up high, because they are a fantastic team. Maybe the best to ever play at Auburn."
For more information on Auburn soccer, visit AuburnTigers.com, follow the team on Twitter, @AuburnSoccer or follow them on Facebook at Facebook.com/AuburnSoccer.