AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn soccer kicks off its 30th season in program history, hosting Old Dominion Thursday, Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. CT.
"We're always excited to kick off the athletic season," Tigers head coach Karen Hoppa said. "This will be the first time since 2017 that we'll have a starting lineup of mostly upperclassmen. Because we return that experience, our coaching staff is going to have higher expectations than we did at this time a year ago. This group has grown and matured a lot, but there are still some major areas that we're going to have to improve upon if we want to be successful."
The game will be available for streaming on SEC Network+ and will also be broadcast on WEGL 91.1.
Admission to the Auburn Soccer Complex is free, and the first 250 fans to Thursday's match will receive free Kona Ice.STARTING XI
Auburn begins the year with five players named to the SEC Preseason Watch List. Marissa Arias, M.E. Craven, Anna Haddock, Maddie Prohaska and Sydney Richards were all tabbed Tigers to watch.
The Tigers are 156-56-17 (.736) all-time at home under coach Hoppa. The program has posted a winning record at home in 21 of 23 seasons of the Hoppa era.
The last time the Tigers dropped a season opener was 2016, going 4-0-1 every opener since and 7-2-1 over the last 10.
Thursday marks the fourth meeting in history between the Tigers and Old Dominion with Auburn holding a 2-0-1 advantage over the Monarchs. The last time the two squads met, both left in a scoreless draw, going to double overtime in 2019.
This season will mark the 30th in program history and the 24th under coach Hoppa.
Junior first team All-SEC midfielder Anna Haddock returns to call the Tiger offense this season. A year ago, Haddock led the team in goals, assists, points, shots taken, and game-winners.
Another key returner for the Tigers, junior goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska is set to defend the net once more after playing every minute of the 2021 season. Prohaska matches 38 goals conceded in her career with 132 total saves.
To compliment the wealth of upperclassman experience, the Tigers usher in a freshman class of six, comprised of one goalkeeper, three defenders and two forwards/midfielders.
In the 2022 preseason, Auburn picked up a 4-1 victory over Georgia Southern and dropped a 0-2 decision at No. 22 Memphis. Against Georgia Southern, Anna Haddock tallied two goals while Sabrina McNeill and Olivia Candelino each added one.
The Tigers begin the season receiving votes in the opening United Soccer Coaches preseason poll.
The Auburn Soccer Complex will host Esperanza House for Thursday's match. Esperanza House is a non-profit organization with a focus on youth development, childcare, education and advocacy in the Auburn-Opelika Area. To learn more about the organization, and how you can help, please click here.
PLAYER TO WATCH: ANNA HADDOCK
Haddock opens her junior campaign touted at the #15 player in the country by Top Drawer Soccer.
The Bowling Green, Kentucky product was also named to the SEC Preseason Watch List, the United Soccer Coaches Midfielders to Watch List and Top Drawer Soccer's Preseason Best XI.SCOUTING ODU
Angie Hind will lead ODU for the ninth-straight year as head coach. Last season, Hind led the program to a C-USA tournament championship, besting Southern Miss, 1-0.
Old Dominion posted a 13-5-1 record a season ago. The Monarchs' season ended in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, losing to No. 1 Duke, 0-1.
Manning the net will be 2021 Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Year Kasey Perry. Perry allowed just seven goals in 16 games last season. As a team, Old Dominion finished the year with a .518 goals-against average, the fifth-best mark in the country.UP NEXT
Auburn hosts C-USA runner-up Southern Miss on Sunday, Aug. 21 at 2 p.m. CT.