BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A dominant offensive showing from No. 13 Auburn soccer saw the Tigers take down Samford 5-0 Thursday night at Yelton Field. Head coach Karen Hoppa earned the 350th win of her career in the contest.
“What’s really great is that we got our sixth win of the season in our sixth game of the season,” Hoppa said. “Our team is playing hard and continuing to show out. I thought we adapted well to the opponent and scored some great goals.”
Hoppa becomes the 31st head coach and the ninth female head coach to join the 350 wins club. She is one of four active female coaches with 350+ victories.
The Orange & Blue defense limited the Bulldogs to just two shots while the Tigers’ offense put up 28, including 13 on frame. Auburn also created six corner kicks to Samford’s zero.
Senior goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska made two saves to uphold the clean sheet, the 30th of her career. She now stands tied for sixth in Southeastern Conference history.
“Proud of the full-team performance,” Prohaska said. “We’re on a mission this year to prove to ourselves that we are capable of anything we set our minds to.”
Junior Shelby Sallee and sophomore Olivia Woodson each recorded braces in the match. Seniors Anna Haddock and Carly Thatcher each picked up two assists.
Sallee ignited the Auburn attack early with a goal in the sixth minute, her second consecutive game-winner in the first 10 minutes. She was found open at the top of the box from Haddock. She took two touches before slotting it home into the right upper 90.
Woodson struck for another four minutes later. Thatcher beat a defender out wide and cut a ball into Woodson, who bagged her fourth goal of the season on her first touch.
“This feels amazing,” Woodson said. “I love playing with this team. We’re ready to bring this same energy on Sunday.”
As the first half wound down, Auburn found its third. Senior Sydnie Thibodaux ripped off a shot from outside the box that was spilled by Samford’s keeper. Freshman Lily Borders was in position to put the ball away into the lower right corner.
Auburn did not stop there. Two minutes into the second half, Sallee bagged her second, securing her first career brace as a Tiger. Haddock spun a defender in the midfield to open up space and find Sallee running up the right side. Sallee received the pass and cut inside before punching one away into the near post.
In the 54th minute, Auburn found its fifth and final of the evening as Woodson found a pocket inside the near post on a breakaway. Sallee and Thatcher assisted on the play.
Up next, Auburn returns home for a top-20 matchup against No. 17 Ohio State on Sunday, Sept. 8. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT on the SEC Network. Ian Carry and Eric Duick have the call.
Fans in attendance will receive goalkeeper koozies while supplies last. As always, matches at the Auburn Soccer Complex are free and open to the public. Gates open one hour prior to kickoff.