OXFORD, Miss. — It was a defensive showcase Sunday at the Ole Miss Soccer Stadium as both Auburn and Ole Miss traded blows for the duration of the match, but neither team was able to penetrate the goal line as both settled for a shutout draw.
The Tiger back line did not allow a single shot on goal in the second half to secure its first shutout in conference play this season.
"Certainly would've rather taken a win, but we're not mad about earning a point on the road," Tigers head coach Karen Hoppa said. "Really happy with how we played in the second half. We struggled in the beginning of the game, but we grew into it and got control at the end of the first half. We came out of the break great and gave ourselves multiple chances. Credit to the Ole Miss keeper for making some great saves."
Auburn outmatched the Rebels 14-7 on shots and 5-2 on shots on goal. Two allowed shots on goal marked the fewest conceded by the Orange & Blue defense since allowing a pair at LSU on Oct. 23, 2022. Senior Maddie Prohaska stuffed both on-frame chances faced. She now has 22 clean sheets in her tenure, the fourth-most in program history.
"It was nice to get back on a shutout," Prohaska said. "Our d-team has been working really hard to get back and put up another one, so I'm glad it came to fruition. Obviously, we still have to put a complete game together on both ends of the ball, but overall, we're walking away with a point on the road, which is not an easy task in SEC play."
Offensively, the Tigers found their five dangerous chances from fifth year Sydney Richards, seniors Sammie Brown and Anna Haddock and juniors Carly Thatcher and Sydnie Thibodaux. Perhaps the strongest opportunity came in the 49th minute as Haddock served Richards on a free kick from outside the 18. Richards nailed a header on the low left corner of the goal face; however, it was saved on a diving attempt from the Rebels' Ohba.
Redshirt-freshman Dylan Driver earned the start at left forward to begin the second half. Driver played a career-high 53 minutes in the match.
Next, Auburn returns home to host South Carolina Friday, Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. CT. The match will serve as the official kickoff for soccer's Upper 90 Club.