Sept. 1, 2016 No. 21 Auburn vs. Iowa State
(3-1-0 RECORD) vs. (2-1-0 RECORD)
Match
| Friday, Sept. 2, 2016 | 7 p.m. | |
| Auburn vs. Iowa State | ||
AUBURN, Ala. -- On the heels of a three-match winning streak, No. 21 Auburn plays host to Iowa State for a battle on the pitch Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
The matchup is one of four that will take place on The Plains this weekend as part of the Auburn Soccer Classic. USC and Georgia will square off at 4:30 p.m. to open the four-team tournament.
The Tigers (3-1-0) come into the match on fire offensively. Auburn posted four goals in a win at Samford for the first time in exactly one year to pick up its third consecutive win last Sunday evening. Kristen Dodson tallied a brace and assisted on another goal, while Ellie Leek and Casie Ramsier each found the back of the net in a 4-3 win.
Auburn and Iowa State (2-1-0) will meet for the first time in series history. The Tigers, however, have seen extensive action against opponents from the Big 12 Conference, holding an 8-6-3 mark against the likes of Kansas, Oklahoma State, Texas, TCU and Texas Tech.
Auburn closes its own classic when it takes on USC, Sunday night at 6 p.m. The match will be preceded by Iowa State versus Georgia at 1 p.m.
Player to Watch: Haley Gerken
Senior midfielder/defender Haley Gerken has been a force on defense, while providing a punch in the attack. Gerken, who has taken a majority of the free kicks from fouls near the midline, notched an assist on the opening goal from Kristen Dodson in a 4-3 triumph at Samford last Sunday night.
Coaching Connection
Assistant coach Ben Madsen previously coached for Iowa State from 2009-12. Madsen was the recruiting coordinator and goalkeepers coach and helped bring recruiting classes that increased the program's win total for three straight seasons from 2009-11.
Staggering Statistic
Three is the lucky number for the Auburn soccer program. Since head coach Karen Hoppa took over in 1999, the Tigers are an astounding 89-1 when scoring at least three goals in a match and have won their last 53 decisions.
On This Day...
On Sept. 2, 2011 Auburn knocked off No. 5 Duke on a goal in the 62nd minute. Bianca Sierra drilled a header past the keeper from a cross by Mary Coffed.
Scouting Iowa State
The Cyclones fly into Auburn averaging 2.0 goals per match through their first three contests, highlighted by a 3-1 win at Creighton last Sunday. Koree Willer returns to pace the top line with six goals in 2015. Between the posts, Lindsey Hendon racked up six shutouts last campaign and already has one this year.