BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Olivia Candelino and Maddie Prohaska were recognized by the Southeastern Conference for their performances vs. Georgia this weekend. Candelino was named the SEC Freshman of the Week and Prohaska was tabbed the SEC Defensive Player of the Week Monday.
Auburn becomes the third team to have two honorees in the same week this season. It also marks the fourth and fifth recognitions for the Tigers during the 2020-21 campaign.
"We are thrilled to see both Maddie and Olivia recognized by the conference as players as the week," head coach Karen Hoppa said. "We had a hard-fought victory against Georgia on Saturday, and Maddie's defensive effort as well as Olivia's outstanding goal were key performances in the game for us."
Prohaska and Candelino were both instrumental in Auburn's 1-0 win against the Bulldogs Sunday, marking the Tigers third win against its SEC rival this season.
Candelino accounted for the scoring against the Bulldogs as her goal in the 62nd minute proved to be the difference. The Jacksonville, Florida, native beat her defender on the half turn and fired a shot that snuck inside the upper 90, marking her second goal of the spring and first game-winner. Candelino's two goals through four contests this spring lead the team.
Prohaska, who was also named the SEC Freshman of the Week in the fall, turned in her fifth solo shutout and sixth clean sheet overall Saturday. The West Chester, Ohio, native blanked the Bulldogs and recorded five saves in the contest. She controlled her box throughout the match and made a pair of big saves as Georgia fought for the equalizer in the late stages. The shutout was Prohaska and Auburn's third in four contests this spring.
The Tigers spring season continues with back-to-back road contests at Louisville on Mar. 20 and against archrival Alabama on Mar. 27.