COLUMBUS, Ohio. — Auburn soccer concludes the nonconference portion of its schedule Sunday, Sept. 10, squaring off with Ohio State at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT on B1G+.
"Ohio State is a really tough BIG 10 team," head coach Karen Hoppa said. "We don't know a lot about them, so we're really going to have to make some crucial in-game adjustments if we want to succeed. We've already had a lot of good results on the road this season, so I know our team has the confidence to go out there and get the job done."
The Tigers and Buckeyes are set to meet on the soccer field for the first time in history. Hoppa is 3-5-0 all-time versus opponents from the BIG 10. Auburn has not faced a BIG 10 foe since Aug. 30, 2019, when it blanked Maryland 4-0.
Ohio State enters the match on a two-game win streak and a 3-2-1 overall record. Offensively, the Buckeyes are led by Kailyn Dudukovich with 17 points on seven goals and three assists. Molly Pritchard has taken the bulk of the load in-goal. Pritchard has allowed 11 goals, made 17 saves and has been a part of two combined shutouts.
On Thursday, the Buckeyes routed Ohio University 4-1 courtesy of a brace from Dudukovich.
Dudukovich and junior Sydney Jones are long-time teammates of Auburn's own and Ohio native Maddie Prohaska. The trio played club soccer together for 10 years before uniting at Lakota West High School to capture an OHSAA state championship in 2019.
Prohaska and the Tigers (4-1-2) roll into Ohio fresh off a 1-1 tie at West Virginia Thursday. Prohaska went the distance in the match and surrendered one goal while collecting four saves. Auburn fell behind quickly out of the second half but responded with a goal from junior Carly Thatcher assisted by a deflected shot from fifth year Sydney Richards.
Through seven matches this season, Auburn has already surpassed 50% of it totals from the previous season in three offensive categories — goals, assists and shots on goal. The Tigers will look to pour on even more come Sunday as 11 of their 14 goals have come in Sunday games.
After Ohio State, Auburn opens Southeastern Conference play at Mississippi State Friday Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. CT.