AUBURN, Ala. – Following a 93-day hiatus, Auburn (4-4-2) resumes its 2020-21 season by hosting Kennesaw State Friday at 5 p.m. CT at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
STARTING XI
The Tigers finished the fall season by advancing to the SEC Tournament quarterfinals for the first time since 2016.
Auburn scored 11 goals during its fall slate, and five of those goals came in the team's two SEC Tournament contests.
Sophomore Sydney Richards and freshman Mallory Mooney both enter the spring season having scored in back-to-back games. Mooney's two goals marked the first of her collegiate career.
An Auburn player has scored in three consecutive contests on 22 occasions in program history with Bri Folds being the last in 2018 and 2019.
Freshman goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska led the SEC in save percentage (.807) during the fall. She also ranked top four in the league in goals against average (1.20) and saves (46).
Senior Alyssa Malonson was selected by the NC Courage in the second round of the 2021 NWSL Draft in January, becoming Auburn's second highest draft pick in program history.
The matchup marks the fifth all-time meeting between Auburn and Kennesaw State, including the first since 2011. The Tigers hold a 4-0-0 advantage in the series.
Four Tigers earned All-SEC honors in the fall, marking the third most honorees in the league and the most for the team since 2016. Seniors Sarah Houchin and Malonson were named Second Team All-SEC, while Anna Haddock and Prohaska earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors.
SCOUTING KENNESAW STATE
Kennesaw State did not play in the fall and opened its spring season with a 1-0 win at Jacksonville last Friday.
Kameron Downs accounted for the Owls scoring in the contest, while AJ Needham pitched the shutout in goal.
FYI
Gates open one hour prior to the start of the match.
Capacity at the Auburn Soccer Complex will be reduced to an Auburn team pass list, visiting team pass list and a limited number of Auburn students. The general public will not be admitted.
Students will be required to present a valid student ID and green screen for entry. All fans – Auburn and visiting team pass list as well as students – will be restricted to their respective areas throughout the contest.
Face coverings will be required for all spectators and gameday workers. Fans will be asked to sit and remain in the designated orange chair backs and practice one-way traffic flow designated by stadium signage.
Tailgating outside of the complex will be prohibited. Additionally, congregating along the fence inside the complex will not be allowed.
The portable AU Team Shop will be on-site offering officially licensed Auburn apparel. In addition, a limited selection of bottled drinks and prepackaged food will be available for purchase at the concession stand. All transactions must be cashless.
Auburn resumes 2020-21 season Friday vs. Kennesaw State
