AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn soccer will close out the 2023 preseason this week with a pair of exhibition matches designed as final tuneups before opening day the following week.
First, the Tigers will host Mercer at the Auburn Soccer Complex Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 6:30 p.m. CT. Both teams will play three 30-minute periods with a 10-minute break in between each. Following the end of regulation, a penalty kick shootout will ensue, regardless of score.
Auburn's final exhibition will be at South Alabama Saturday, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. CT. Game format at Mobile's The Cage Soccer Complex will be determined closer to kickoff.
This fall will signify the Tigers' 25th season under the leadership of head coach Karen Hoppa.
"I'm really blessed to have been here for so long and very excited to get back out there for another season" Hoppa said. "It's hard to tell what the identity of our team will be this year, but so far, so good. It's a senior-heavy group with a lot of experience. What's most encouraging to me is that we're taking big strides and showing improvements from scrimmage to scrimmage, so if we can keep trending that way, it'll be a really fun year."
All matches at the Auburn Soccer Complex are free and open to the public. Auburn officially kicks off the 2023 season Thursday, Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m. CT versus Samford. The first 250 fans in attendance will receive a collectible coach Hoppa mini jersey.