ATHENS, Ga. – Auburn fell to Virginia Tech, 3-1, in the final contest of the Bulldog Classic Sunday afternoon at the University of Georgia's Turner Soccer Complex.
Senior Bri Folds scored on a penalty kick in the second half for the second straight match, but the deficit prior to the PK proved too big to overcome.
"Virginia Tech is a really good team, and they just made a couple of more plays than we did," head coach Karen Hoppa said. "Overall, it was a pretty even game – shots were even, corners were only one off. We had our chances. We had a couple of great looks in the first half, and we just missed. We have to do a better job capitalizing on those opportunities against a good team."
Auburn came out aggressive and had a pair of scoring opportunities – one that went off the post and another that skipped wide right – in the first four minutes.
However, Virginia Tech was the first to get on the scoreboard on a right-footed strike in the 12th minute. After Auburn nearly converted the equalizer when Treva Aycock stepped in front of a ball played back to the goalkeeper, the Hokies doubled the advantage on a ball that deflected off the far post in the 33rd minute.
Virginia Tech added to the lead coming out of halftime as a corner kick was punched away and the rebound resulted in a goal.
The Tigers responded four minutes later when Angeline Daly was fouled inside the box and Folds stepped up to convert her second penalty kick of the weekend.
Auburn nearly cut the deficit to one on a few occasions in the closing stages of the game, but a pair of attempts were saved.
The Tigers matched the Hokies with 11 shots, including four on goal, and the team has five opportunities off of corner kicks.
"We've got to be better at creating goal scoring opportunities, and our finishing percentage has to be way better," Hoppa added.
Sixteen Tigers saw action in the contest, including four who played all 90 minutes.
Auburn returns to The Plains and will host Syracuse in its home opener Thursday, Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Auburn Soccer Complex.