AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn soccer team (0-1-0) continues its challenging non-conference schedule with a pair of neutral-site contests against Maryland (2-0-0) and Virginia Tech (2-0-0) at the University of Georgia's Bulldog Classic this weekend.
The Tigers are set to take on the Terrapins Friday at 3:30 p.m. CT at the Turner Soccer Complex before wrapping up the weekend against the Hokies Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Starting XI
Auburn is 6-7-2 all-time in games played in Athens, Ga., including 1-3-1 in neutral-site contests. The Tigers have earned a result in seven of the last 10 contests (5-3-2) at the University of Georgia's Turner Soccer Complex.
Auburn is coming off the program's fifth straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament and its 16th NCAA appearance in the last 18 seasons. The team is one of 13 teams in the country to make five straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
Seniors Treva Aycock and Bri Folds and junior Alyssa Malonson were named to the SEC Soccer Preseason Watch List last week. All three honorees earned All-SEC recognition following the 2018 regular season.
Friday marks the second all-time meeting between Auburn and Maryland with the Terrapins holding a 1-0-0 advantage. The two teams previously met in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 2011, and Maryland advanced with a 1-0 victory.
Sunday marks the first all-time meeting between Auburn and Virginia Tech.
Auburn's 2019 roster consists of 23 players, including eight freshmen, seven sophomores, four juniors and four seniors.
The Tigers return 33 of 42 goals scored (79 percent), 39 of 46 assists (85 percent) and 105 of 130 points (81 percent) from last year's team.
Auburn's 39 assists returning from last season are tied for the most in the league. The team's 33 goals and 105 points returning are also the fourth most in the SEC.
Hoppa has led the Tigers to 17 winning seasons in 20 years on The Plains, including 15 seasons with 10 or more wins. She notched her 300th career win with a 1-0 victory at Missouri (Oct. 14) last year.
Scouting Maryland
Maryland is off to a 2-0-0 start after defeating Georgia Southern (2-1) and NJIT (1-0, 2OT) at home last weekend.
The Terrapins outshot their opponents 44-9 over the weekend and were led in scoring by junior midfielder Mikayla Dayes, who registered three points on a goal and assist.
With the contest against NJIT tied, 0-0, in double overtime, junior midfielder Hope Lewandoski scored the game-winner in the 104th minute to keep Maryland's record unblemished.
Scouting Virginia Tech
Like Maryland, Virginia Tech enters the weekend 2-0-0 after wins against Liberty (3-0) and Cincinnati (2-0) in its first two contests of the season.
The Hokies are receiving votes in both the United Soccer Coaches and Top Drawer Soccer polls.
Four different players registered goals for Virginia Tech last weekend, with senior forward Mikayla Mance leading the way with a pair.
Player to Watch: Caroline Peterson
A highly touted freshman from Mission Hills, Kansas, Peterson made an immediate impact for the Tigers on both offense and defense in her collegiate debut last week. She earned the start at USF last Thursday - playing all 90 minutes - and recorded her first career point on an assist while also helping contain a pair of the Bulls' Hermann Trophy Award Watch List honorees.