AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn soccer wraps up its regular season schedule this week, hosting Georgia on Thursday, Oct. 24 and traveling to No. 22 South Carolina on Sunday, Oct. 27. Thursday’s kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT while Sunday’s clash at Stone Soccer Stadium commences at 3 p.m. CT.
“Every week in SEC play is tough, but man, this week is certainly one of the toughest,” Tigers head coach Karen Hoppa said. “Both of these teams are toward the top of the standings, and they’re fighting to earn a bye in Pensacola just like we are.”
The No. 13 Tigers (12-1-3, 4-1-3) return home after a two-match road stint that included a 3-2 win at Tennessee and a 0-0 draw at Kentucky. Auburn found its goals against the Lady Vols from the boots of sophomore Olivia Woodson and senior Syndie Thibodaux.
Woodson struck for her first career brace in SEC play with a pair of goals in minutes 21 and 47. She is now tied for the league lead with 10 goals on the season. Senior Anna Haddock fed Thibodaux for the game-winner in minute 80. On the play, Haddock tied the program record with her 42nd career assist.
Defensively, the Tigers allowed just four shots on target in both of their previous matches combined. Auburn has limited its opponent to two shots on goal or less in six of eight SEC matches.
Georgia (7-4-5, 3-2-3) rolls into The Plains looking for its first win against the Tigers since 2015. Last season, both sides met in Athens for the final match of the regular season, resulting in a scoreless draw. A week later, the Bulldogs went on to win the 2023 SEC Tournament Championship.
This season, Keidane McAlpine’s squad has earned 12 points toward conference standings with wins against Vanderbilt (1-0), Oklahoma (2-0) and Tennessee (2-0) as well as three draws versus Kentucky (1-1), Alabama (2-2) and Florida (0-0).
Graduate transfer Margie Detrizio leads the Bulldogs’ attack with 18 points on eight goals and two assists. Junior goalkeeper Jordan Brown’s shot-stopping abilities have already made waves this season as her 95 saves rank first in the SEC and top 15 in the NCAA. Brown has eight shutouts and a 0.94 goals-against average.
South Carolina (7-1-6, 4-1-2) sits one point behind Auburn in the league standings with 14. The Gamecocks earned victories over Georgia (2-1), No. 20 Kentucky (1-0), Florida (2-0) and Alabama (3-1). They tied Vanderbilt (1-1) and Ole Miss (2-2).
Shelley Smith’s squad is led, offensively, by the two-headed monster of All-SEC forward Cat Barry and U.S. Youth National Team player Katie Shea Collins. Barry has accumulated 26 points on 10 goals and six assists. Collins has 19 points on nine goals and one assist.
On the defensive end of the ball, Carolina returns the reigning SEC Defender of the Year, Gracie Falla as well as goalkeeper Christina Tsaousis. Falla has started in 13 matches, also tallying one assist. She ranks first on the team for minutes played. Tsaousis has saved 45 of 58 shots faced for a 0.776 save percentage and a 1.04 GAA.
Last season, the Tigers and Gamecocks met in Auburn where three goals in the final nine minutes of the match saw South Carolina steal a heartbreaking 2-1 win.
An Auburn win on Sunday would be just the second of the last 11 meetings with South Carolina, and the Tigers’ first in Columbia since 2005.
South Carolina heads to Tennessee for a clash with the Lady Vols before hosting Auburn on Sunday.
Thursday’s home contest against Georgia will air live on the SEC Network+ with Nick Flohre and Brit Bowen on the call. Radio coverage will be provided via WEGL 91.1.
As always, matches at the Auburn Soccer Complex are free and open to the public. Fans in attendance on Thursday will receive orange rally towels while supplies last.
Sunday’s match will also air on the SEC Network+. Brad Muller and Nacy Goffi have the call. Ticket information can be found here.