AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn soccer team suffered a 2-0 defeat to No. 7 South Carolina Thursday night at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
Despite the result, the Tigers advanced to the program's 19th consecutive SEC Tournament, marking the second longest streak in the SEC.
"I thought we played really well as a whole," head coach Karen Hoppa said. "The big thing was we didn't respond to that first goal very well. We played some great soccer in the second half and have to build on that heading into Orange Beach."
The Tigers (7-9-2, 4-6-0 SEC) will be the No. 10 seed at the SEC Tournament and will take on No. 7 Alabama Sunday at 1 p.m. CT at the Orange Beach Sportsplex.
"We're excited to start a new season Sunday," Hoppa added.
Auburn held strong defensively for the first 25 minutes but conceded back-to-back goals to the Gamecocks (13-1-3, 7-0-3 SEC) towards the end of the first half.
The Tigers came out in the second half and battled even with South Carolina in the final 45 minutes. However, it was too little, too late against a stifling Gamecocks defensive unit.
Prior to the match, Auburn seniors Treva Aycock, Bri Folds, Jessie Gerow and Kate Hart were recognized on the field during a Senior Night ceremony.
"It's a really special class," Hoppa said. "Just a great group. All four of them are a class act. It was great to honor them today, and, more importantly, we're excited to extend their season."
Seventeen Tigers saw action in the contest, including five who played all 90 minutes.