Sept. 23, 2017 Auburn vs. Kentucky
(4-3-1, 1-0-1 SEC) vs. (5-6-0, 0-2-0 SEC)
Match
| Sunday, Sept. 24 | 2 p.m. | |
| Auburn vs. Kentucky | ||
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" Sitting near the top of the SEC standings, the Auburn soccer team continues its conference schedule with a match against Kentucky Sunday. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
Andy Burcham and Mac Matthews will have the call from the broadcast booth on SEC Network+. The fixture will also be available on radio at WEGL 91.1, and admission to the Auburn Soccer Complex is free.
The Tigers (4-3-2) battled No. 21 Tennessee to a 1-1 draw in Knoxville Thursday, marking the team's fifth overall and second consecutive contest against a ranked opponent. With five minutes remaining, Jaelyn Gadson scored her first collegiate goal to send the game to overtime.
Promotions
Camper Reunion
Kids Club
Youth Soccer Kona Ice Giveaway
Vuvuzela Giveaway
Bag Tag Giveaway
Shaker Giveaway
Poster Giveaway
Starting XI
Kentucky holds an 11-10-3 advantage in the all-time series, but Auburn has claimed each of the last two contests over the previous two seasons.
The Tigers are 3-2-0 in the last five meetings with the Wildcats at the Auburn Soccer Complex, including a 2-1 win in the most recent matchup on Oct. 23, 2015.
After facing back-to-back ranked opponents, the Tigers have been stellar in the following fixture. Auburn is 12-2-2 in those matches, including 5-1-0 at home.
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Sarah Le Beau was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week Monday for the third time in her career after turning in her 16th career shutout vs. the Aggies.
Senior defender Hannah Alspach made her way onto the TopDrawerSoccer.com National Team of the Week Tuesday after securing the game-winning goal against Texas A&M. It was Alspach's first weekly recognition and first goal of the season.
Auburn went 9-2-0 in SEC play a season ago and finished second in the league. The Tigers are 17-6-1 against conference foes over the last three seasons.
Auburn is 113-68-16 all-time in September, including 2017. The Tigers have netted 376 goals (1.91 per match) and allowed 261 (1.32 per match). Over that span, Auburn has secured 70 shutouts, including 55 under head coach Karen Hoppa.
Senior forward Kristen Dodson continues to climb a number of career records as she ranks in the top seven in career goals (24), assists (24), points (74) and game-winning goals (nine).
Auburn was picked to finish sixth by the SEC coaches in the annual preseason poll. The Tigers trailed Florida, Texas A&M, South Carolina, Missouri and Arkansas in the poll.
Player to Watch: Jaelyn Gadson
Gadson netted her first collegiate goal in Thursday's 1-1 tie at No. 21 Tennessee. Trailing by one with five minutes to play, the freshman forward corralled a rebound off the crossbar and headed it into the back of the net to even the score and send the game into overtime. She also saw her most action in the Orange and Blue as she logged 63 minutes.
Scouting Kentucky
After starting the season 2-4, Kentucky has won three of its last five contests with shutouts against Western Illinois, Ohio and Lipscomb.
The Wildcats are coming off a 1-0 home loss to No. 3 South Carolina.
Freshman midfielder Eva Mitchell leads the way for the Kentucky attack. She has registered a team-high eight points on three goals and two assists.