Tigers host South Alabama in home finale

AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn (8-5-3) hosts in-state foe South Alabama (13-6-1) in its final home contests of the 2020-21 season Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
 
Senior defender Sarah Houchin and graduate goalkeeper Dani Kaufman will be recognized pregame as a part of the Senior Day festivities.
 
The contest will be broadcast on SEC Network+ and can be heard on WEGL 91.1.
 
STARTING XI
 
Coming off a 2-1 win at archrival Alabama last Saturday, Auburn is riding a season best three-match winning streak.
 
The win in Tuscaloosa was the team's fifth straight road win against the Crimson Tide.
 
Hailey Whitaker scored the game-winner at Alabama, marking the sixth goal of her career, including her fourth game-winner.
 
She went on to be recognized by Top Drawer Soccer as a Team of the Week honorable mention honoree, and her goal appeared on SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays. 
 
Auburn has started six or more freshman in each of the first six contests of the spring.
 
True or redshirt freshman have accounted for 19 points in six matches this spring.
 
Auburn is 13-1-0 and has won 12 straight matches in the series vs. South Alabama.
 
The Tigers have outscored the Jaguars 42-6 in the in-state series.
 
After going 4-4-2 in SEC play in the fall, the Tigers are 4-1-1 this spring with five opponents hailing from the SEC or ACC.
 
A win Saturday would mark Auburn's first four-match winning streak since 2018.
 
Head coach Karen Hoppa won her 250th game at Auburn vs. Georgia on Mar. 13.
 
Hoppa is one of 20 active NCAA women's soccer Division I head coaches with 300 or more career wins, including 250 or more wins at the helm of his or her current program.
 
SCOUTING SOUTH ALABAMA

South Alabama enters the weekend with a 13-6-1 overall record and already earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament by winning the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in the fall.

The team's 13 wins are the second most in the country, trailing on North Carolina (14).

The Jaguars lead the country in goals (46), assists (53) and points (145).

Junior midfielder Brenna McPartlan leads the team and ranks top five in the country in goals (11), assists (nine) and point (31).

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.