AUBURN, Ala. — The most intense rivalry in collegiate sports heads to the pitch this week as Auburn soccer treks to Tuscaloosa for the Iron Bowl of Soccer against No. 19 Alabama Thursday, Oct. 5. First touch from Alabama Soccer Stadium is set for 6 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
"Playing a rivalry match of this caliber on the road is always a huge challenge," Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa said. "We've got some extra motivation in this one. We want to bring the trophy back home. Alabama is certainly one of the best teams in the nation, but I'd never count us out. We've yet to show our best soccer for 90 minutes, so if we can bring that, we can get the job done."
Auburn looks to rebound following a dramatic 2-1 loss last week against No. 15 South Carolina. The Tigers enter the match at 5-4-3 overall and 1-2-1 in league play. In order to walk out of enemy territory with its first win against the Tide since 2020, Auburn will need to lean on its core of veteran leadership. Five active Tiger women have more than 180 career minutes of experience facing Alabama, led by fifth year Sydney Richards with 445.
Richards and senior Anna Haddock are the lone two Tigers with a previous goal or assist in an Iron Bowl match.
Starting goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska has saved 11 of 15 shots faced from the Crimson Tide attack in her 360 minutes of work. In those four outings, Prohaska has never allowed more than a single goal to the opposition in any given meeting.
The Tigers lead the all-time series with a 19-11-2 advantage, including a 9-6-1 clip on the road. Each of the previous 22 meetings have reached a decision as the last time both programs fought to a draw was 2002.
Alabama boasts a 7-2-4, 1-2-1 record and is undefeated at home so far this season. In Southeastern Conference play, the Tide has drawn No. 23 Georgia 1-1 at home, fallen 5-0 at No. 11 Arkansas, beaten Vanderbilt 1-0 at home and lost 2-1 at Kentucky. They are led offensively by sophomore Gianna Paul, who has totaled 15 points on seven goals and one assist. Alabama starts two keepers with freshman Coralie Lallier (3-2-2, 1.43 GAA) and graduate student Dylan Pixton (4-0-2, 0.33 GAA) splitting time nearly down the middle.
Not only would an Orange & Blue victory bring home the rivalry trophy for the first time since 2020, but it would also mark the first Auburn win in Tuscaloosa since 2019 and the program's first win over a ranked opponent since toppling No. 12 BYU on Aug. 12, 2021.
Following Thursday's match, Auburn returns to The Plains to host another ranked foe, No. 6 Arkansas, Sunday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network. Ian Carry and Joe Malfa will have the call.