TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A dominating offensive performance from the Auburn soccer team led to a 2-1 win over Alabama Saturday afternoon at the Alabama Soccer Complex.
The Tigers (8-5-3, 3-3-2 SEC) held an 18-1 shooting advantage over Alabama (7-7-2, 2-5-2) with eight shots on target. Auburn used goals in the 17th and 54th minutes to pull ahead 2-0, then allowed a 90th-minute Alabama goal on the only shot the Crimson Tide managed in the contest.
Saturday's win avenged a 1-0 loss to the Tide in the teams' earlier meeting this season in November.
"Really proud of the team," Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa said. "Last fall we felt like we let one get away at home against Alabama, and the girls really wanted to have this opportunity to have a second chance. I was proud of them, they made the most of it. We scored two terrific goals, and that's what you need to win on the road in the SEC."
Auburn got on the board in the 17th minute. A corner kick bounced around the top of the box, leading to a shot attempt from Alyssa Malonson that was blocked, but Sydney Richards was able to control the rebound and put a shot through traffic into the lower left corner of the net for a 1-0 Auburn lead. It was Richards' team-leading fifth goal of the year and Malonson's fourth assist.
"Coach had put me there on corners, and it just happened to land perfectly," Richards said. "Honestly, I was kind of worried because I had to take two touches, and then Alyssa took two touches, then it went back to me. But I just needed to go for the far post and it was really exciting, and I'm really glad we got up early."
Less than 10 minutes into the second half, the Tigers would take a 2-0 lead on a 54th-minute strike from Hailey Whitaker, who took a pass from Anna Haddock at the top of the box and hit the ball off the bounce into the side net for her first goal of the season. It was Haddock's team-leading eighth assist of the year.
It was another strong defensive performance from the Tigers, who held Alabama to just one shot on the day. Freshman keeper Maddie Prohaska was strong in goal, shutting down Alabama scoring threats by corralling multiple crosses and corners.
"Our defense is great, and our offense is good, too," Whitaker said. "We had just been missing some key points, and I think today we kind of put it together. We really connected better than we had this whole season, so I am really excited to see where we go from here."
The Tigers have earned a result in 18 of the last 21 contests against Alabama, including wins in 13 of the last 16 contests. Saturday's win marks the fifth straight Auburn victory in Tuscaloosa.
Auburn will play its final home match of the spring season next Saturday, April 3, as the Tigers host South Alabama. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
