Tiger Soccer Fights Hard In Second Half But Can't Top Gators

Nov. 6, 2015


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Auburn
Auburn
14-5-1
Nov. 6, 2015
1
2
F
#19 Auburn Tigers
0
0
0
#5 Florida Gators
2
0
2
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Florida
16-3-1
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ORANGE BEACH, Ala. - After two Florida goals in the first half, the 19th-ranked Auburn soccer team fought valiantly to try and make its second two-goal comeback in as many games, but could not get anything to hit the back of the net, falling 2-0 to No. 5 Florida Friday night in the SEC Tournament semifinals.

Florida's Christen Westphal and Savannah Jordan provided the goals for the Gators within the first 18 minutes of regulation, but the Tigers were able to control much of the possession for the remainder of the game, getting many good looks at the goal, but getting nothing to fall.

"We came out a little bit flat in the first half," Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa said. "We got unlucky in the second half. Our girls really went after it in the second half and I was proud of our fight and we gave ourselves a chance.

It was seemingly a tale of two halves between the Tigers and Gators. Florida controlled the possession game in the first 45 minutes, outshooting Auburn 6-3, but when the Tigers came out in the second half, it was Auburn that went on the offensive.

Seven shots were put up by the Tigers in the second half, compared to Florida's one. Juniors Brooke and Casie Ramsier were doing everything they could to try and create something through the midfield, but each time Florida's back line was able to clear the ball or force a wayward Auburn shot.

Auburn did have a few unlucky breaks during the second half. In the 52nd minute, Auburn got what looked to be a key corner kick from Brooke Ramsier. Ramsier placed the ball perfectly in the middle of the box, where it was deflected right to Casie near the left post. Casie fired a shot that bounced off the Florida goalkeeper and in, but was called offsides.

Just a minute later, Casie Ramsier again came up with a big play intercepting the back pass from Florida in the right side of the box and was able to get Florida keeper Kaylan Marckese in a 1v1. Ramsier shot far post, but it was just tipped by Marckese and rolled just wide of the post.

Casie and Brooke Ramsier ended up with five shots combined, one each on goal. Samantha Solaru, Hannah Alspach and Kala Faulkner also provided a shot on goal in the match, forcing Marckese to make five saves for Florida.

"We have a relatively young team, but now they have some tournament experience," Hoppa said. "We're going to learn a lot from this week and carry that into the NCAA Tournament.

Auburn now sits 14-5-1 on the year, still the second most wins in a single-season in program history and will await to see where it lands in the NCAA Tournament field. The selection of the 65-team field will be conducted Monday at 3:30 pm and can be viewed on NCAA.com.

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