BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Seniors Sarah Houchin and Alyssa Malonson were named Second Team All-Southeastern Conference while newcomers Anna Haddock and Maddie Prohaska were tabbed to the SEC All-Freshman Team Thursday.
Auburn's four honorees are tied for the third most in the league and are the program's most since 2016. It marks the third time Malonson has been named All-SEC and is the first for the other three recipients.
"We are excited to see four of our players recognized by the conference today," head coach Karen Hoppa said. "They have all had excellent fall seasons, and we are looking forward to seeing what they can accomplish now that is it tournament time."
Houchin and Malonson are four-year stalwarts for the Tigers and have started in all 67 games since stepping foot on campus in 2017.
A defender from Coppell, Texas, Houchin leads Auburn in minutes played and has been on the pitch for all but two minutes this season. The two-time team captain has been instrumental in the team's three shutouts in 2020 and helped lead the Tigers to the league's second best goals against average (0.80). Houchin was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week and to the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week after leading Auburn to a pair of shutouts against Ole Miss and Georgia. She also contributed on the opposite side of the field with a goal vs. Kentucky, marking the fourth goal of her career.
"Sarah has been a leader of this young group both on and off the field," Hoppa said. "She has taken her game to another level and is one of the toughest defenders in our league. Sarah stays calm no matter the situation, and that gives the rest of our team so much confidence."
Primarily a defender in her first three seasons on the Plains, Malonson has transitioned to the midfield in 2020 and is tied for second on the team in points this fall. A native of Spring, Texas, Malonson scored the second goal of her career at Arkansas and followed that performance by assisting on the game-winner in 1-0 overtime win at LSU, marking the 300th win in program history and helping her earn Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week honorable mention honors. Malonson has previously been named Second Team All-SEC in 2018 and SEC All-Freshman Team in 2017.
"Alyssa has had a great fall season for us," Hoppa said. "She has taken on more of an offensive role and has been extremely dangerous in our attack. She has created and scored a couple of goals, and we look forward to seeing what she can do in the tournament."
Haddock has been an instant impact for the Tigers, ranking second on the team in minutes played after having been on the field for all but 15 minutes this fall. A box-to-box midfielder, the Bowling Green, Kentucky, native contributes on both ends of the field and leads the Tigers in both shots and shots on goal. She was named Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week honorable mention after playing the corner kick that led to the team's golden goal with 0:03 remaining in double overtime vs. Ole Miss and recorded her first collegiate point with an assist vs. Kentucky.
"Anna has also had an outstanding fall season," Hoppa said. "She has played almost every minute and has been tremendous on both sides of the ball. She is a true box-to-box center mid."
Like her fellow freshman, Prohaska has played a big role in her first year in an Auburn uniform. An early enrollee from West Chester, Ohio, Prohaska became Auburn's first true freshman to start a season opener in goal since 2009 and went on to be named the SEC Freshman of the Week and to the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week following her collegiate debut. The 17 year old started in goal in seven contests and finished the fall as the SEC leader in save percentage while also ranking second in goals against average and fourth in saves.
"Maddie has done a great job in goal for us this fall," Hoppa added. "She controls her box like a veteran and has been an asset in our offense as well due to her ability to play with her feet."
Auburn (3-3-2) makes its 20th straight trip to the SEC Tournament and will take on Georgia (2-3-2) Sunday at 5 p.m. CT in Orange Beach, Alabama. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network.