AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn took care of business in its home opener against Syracuse, defeating the Orange by a score of 2-0 Thursday night at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
With the win, the Tigers (2-2-0) improve to 21-4-2 all-time in home openers, including 16-3-2 under head coach Karen Hoppa.
"It's a great result for us," Hoppa said. "The first half, we were not pleased. We didn't feel we played well on either side of the ball. The second, we were really happy with how the team came out. We just played better soccer."
Bri Folds paced the way for the Auburn attack as she registered a goal for the third straight game and added an assist. Hailey Whitaker turned in her first goal of the season, while Brooke Berdan and Angeline Daly pitched in with an assist. For Berdan, it was the first point of her Auburn career.
Auburn outshot Syracuse 27-7 in the match, including 18 shots that came in the second half. The team's 27 shots, including 12 on frame, were the most this season.
"We were just trying to move the ball, shift the defense and play a little more simple," Hoppa added. "The girls did a really good job of executing in the second half. It's something we can build off and give the team some confidence."
After a scoreless first half, Auburn started the scoring early in the second half with a goal in the 52nd minute. Folds bridled up the center of the field before giving it off to Whitaker, who fired off a shot from the top of the 18-yard box that skipped past the Syracuse goalkeeper to put the Tigers on the board.
"Coach stressed playing simple and connecting our simple passes to get the momentum going. That's what we did, and it really got us started. It was good to see what we've been working on in practice come into play."
Later in the half, Auburn continued to execute in the run of play as Daly dropped off a pass to Berdan, who ultimately found Folds in space near the top of the box. The senior midfielder made a cut before taking a left-footed shot and putting it just over the mitt of a leaping goalkeeper to double Auburn's advantage. It marked the second time in her career Folds has scored in three straight contests.
"It was exciting to make a big statement on this field," Folds said. "It was my last, first home game, so I was really excited about everything behind it. We hope to keep the momentum going on Sunday."
While the offense produced on its end, the defense and goalkepper Kate Hart turned in the second shutout of the season.
Seventeen different Tigers saw action in front of an energized crowd at Auburn Soccer Complex, including three who played the entire 90 minutes.
"This crowd was amazing tonight," Hoppa added. "The atmosphere they created was phenomenal. I really felt that helped motivate us and excite the team. We fed off the crowd and really appreciate the Auburn Family creating that environment for us."
Auburn continues a stretch of four straight home games and will face off against Troy Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Auburn Soccer Complex.