COLLEGE STATION, Texas. — Giving up multiple goals in a match for the first time all season long, Auburn soccer fell 3-1 at the hands of Texas A&M Friday at Ellis Field.
The Tigers (6-4-5, 2-4-1) would carry a 1-0 lead into the break, but it was the Aggies (8-5-3, 2-4-1) who would net a trio of shots in the second half to lock down the victory.
With its second goal in the 88th minute, Texas A&M ended Auburn's national-leading streak of 1,348 consecutive minutes without surrendering multiple goals in any match.
Offensively, the Orange & Blue attack got off eight shots and placed five on-goal. Junior forward Maddie Simpson scored the team's 23rd goal of the year via an assist from senior defender Hailey Whitaker.
The Tigers saw their first dangerous chance in the 24th minute, as junior Olivia Candelino found senior Sydney Richards out wide of the left edge of the penalty box for a rocket at the near post, but Texas A&M's Kenna Caldwell was able to stifle the blow, temporarily upholding the scoreless draw.
Auburn would open the scoring in the 31st minute with Whitaker near midfield, delivering a bending ball to Simpson approaching the right post for a two-touch right-footed strike across the Aggie keeper into the lower left corner of the net.
Lacing her fourth goal on the year, Simpson retakes the Tigers' team lead.
Fresh out of the half, Texas A&M would even the score on a shot from Maile Hayes inside the goal box in 48th minute.
Two minutes after subbing into the game, the Tigers found late life from junior Sammie Brown in the 73rd minute. Brown crossed up two Aggie defenders to fire a strike right on left post, however Caldwell would deny the chance with a last-minute dive and deflection.
Texas A&M would ultimately clinch the win and find some insurance with a pair of goals in the 88th and 90th minutes from Hayes and Carissa Boeckmann.
Up next, Auburn returns home to host No. 16 Tennessee. First kick is set for Thursday, Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m. CT.
