AUBURN, Ala. – Junior Hailey Whitaker has been named Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week honorable mention after her performance in a 2-1 win at Alabama last weekend.
Whitaker's recognition marks the third straight week an Auburn player has been honored by Top Drawer Soccer, following in the footsteps of Maddie Prohaska (Mar. 16) and Sarah Houchin (Mar. 23).
"We are excited to see Hailey recognized by Top Drawer this week," head coach Karen Hoppa said. "She scored on unbelievable goal on a volley on the half turn for the game-winner at Alabama, so she is certainly deserving of this honor."
Whitaker picked the right time to score her first goal of the season as she found the back of the net in the 54th minute against the Crimson Tide, proving to be the game-winner in the rivalry contest.
With her back to goal, the Birmingham, Alabama, native made a nice touch at the top of the box to control a pass from Anna Haddock and one-timed a shot with her right foot into the far side net. The goal, which appeared as the No. 7 play on SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays, marked the sixth goal of Whitaker's career, including her fourth game-winner.
Whitaker nearly turned in her first career brace with a strong shot in the 85th minute, but the Alabama goalkeeper made a leaping save to keep the ball from going into the upper 90.
Whitaker and the Tigers host South Alabama in the team's final home contests of the season Saturday at 1 p.m. CT.
