COLUMBUS, Ohio. — Auburn soccer dropped the final contest of its nonconference slate, losing 2-0 to Ohio State Sunday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Auburn held the Buckeyes scoreless for the final 67 minutes of the match but could not penetrate the goal line and get on the board.
"Really disappointed by our first half more so than the result," head coach Karen Hoppa said. "We came out really flat and really slow, and Ohio State is too good of a team to do that. I loved our second half though. We had great fight. We had some young kids. like Jess (Osborne), step up. That kind of grit and fight is what we're going to need as we head into SEC play."
Ohio State scored first in the 16th minute and once more in the 23rd. The Tigers held them silent for the rest of the match.
Auburn ripped off eight shots and placed five on frame. Seniors Sydney Richards and Maddie Simpson, junior Carly Thatcher and freshman Olivia Woodson accounted for the Tigers' on-goal opportunities.
Freshman Jessica Osborne made her collegiate debut and played 47 minutes at center back. Junior Haley Duca and freshman Maquena O'Callaghan also saw career-high minutes.
Goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska picked up a trio of saves in the contest.
Up next, a new season begins as the Tigers head to Mississippi State Friday, Sept. 15 for their SEC opener. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on SECN+.
