PENSACOLA, Fla. — A late goal from senior Mallory Mooney following the record-breaking 43rd assist of senior Anna Haddock’s career was not enough to spark a late comeback for No. 24 Auburn as the Tigers fell 2-1 to LSU Sunday evening in the first round of the SEC Tournament at the Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex in Pensacola, Florida.
“We’re going to feel this hurt for a while, but the good thing is that we know we’ve got more soccer to play,” Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa said. “We came out too passive. Credit to LSU, they played great, but we didn’t have our best. We’re going to learn a lot from this game. We’ll rest and recover and be excited to make our play at the NCAA Tournament.”
LSU struck first with a goal from Gabi Ceballos in the 57th minute. The Bayou Bengals capitalized on an Auburn turnover to tack on another via a Mollie Baker goal in minute 71.
Auburn cut the deficit to one with a goal from deep off the boot of Mooney in the 78th minute. It was her fourth of the season and second of the last three matches.
Haddock was credited with an assist on the pass leading to Mooney’s missile. It was her 12th of the season and the 43rd of her career, which broke Katy Frierson’s (2008-11) 13-year-old school record.
Up next, Auburn turns its eyes toward the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers learn their postseason path during the NCAA Selection Show set for Monday, Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. CT.