AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn soccer team (9-2-1, 1-2-1 SEC) continues its tough stretch of road conference games with a matchup against No. 6 Texas A&M (11-1-1, 2-1-1 SEC) Thursday at 6 p.m. CT at Ellis Field.
The contest will be broadcast nationally on SEC Network, marking the first of three nationally televised games for the Tigers.
Starting XI
Auburn enters the week as the SEC leader in goals (34), assists (38), points (106), scoring offense (2.83), points per game (8.83), assists per game (3.17) and shots on goal per game (8.67).
The Tigers have outscored their opponents 34-9 thru 12 matches this season. The 34 goals scored thru 12 contests are the second most in program history (44, 2000) and the nine goals allowed are tied for the fourth fewest (6, 2004; 8, 2003, '06; 9, 2015).
Twelve different players have scored a goal this season, led by a career best eight goals from junior Bri Folds, who ranks in the top four in the SEC in goals, assists (six) and points (22). The 12 goal scorers are the team's most since 2014.
Thursday marks the ninth meeting between Auburn and Texas A&M since the Aggies joined the SEC prior to the 2012 season. The Tigers trail the Aggies 3-5-0 in the all-time series and have yet to win a contest in College Station.
Texas A&M marks Auburn's third ranked opponent this season, including its second straight top-15 foe. Thursday's match also marks the team's 11th contest against a ranked opponent since the beginning of last season (3-6-1).
Auburn has posted 50-22-7 (.677) overall record and 21-10-5 (.653) record in SEC play since the start of the 2015 season. The team ranks fourth in wins in both categories during that time - trailing South Carolina, Florida and Texas A&M.
Head coach Karen Hoppa is in her 20th season on The Plains and has led the Tigers to 16 winning seasons, including 14 seasons with 10 or more wins.
Scouting Texas A&M
Texas A&M enters the weekend with an 11-1-1 overall record and 2-1-1 mark in conference play.
The Aggies are tied with Auburn for the SEC lead with 34 goals this season and rank second in the conference behind the Tigers in points (94).
Junior forward Ally Watt paces the Aggies attack with 20 points on nine goals and two assists this season.
Defensively, senior goalkeeper Cosette Morche has held opponents to a 0.45 goals against average and has turned in nine shutouts in 13 contests this season.
Player to Watch: Treva Aycock
Aycock, a junior transfer from Furman, has made herself right at home in her first season on The Plains as she ranks second on the team in goals (five), assists (five) and points (15). The Marietta, Georgia, native has played and started in all 12 contests this season. She began SEC play with a season-high five points on two goals and an assist vs. Mississippi State.
Auburn Faces Another Tough Road Test at No. 6 Texas A&M
