AUBURN, Ala. — Led by senior Erin Flurey’s heroic four-goal effort, Auburn soccer (2-1-1) hung six on Kennesaw State (0-2-0) Sunday to cruise to a 6-0 victory on Senior Day at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
“It’s kind of surreal,” Flurey said. “It’s my last year, and that was my first multi-goal game ever. To be able to do it surrounded by this great group of people and in James’ (Armstrong) first year is a surreal moment. I’m really grateful.”
Flurey is the first Auburn player to record a haul in a match since Tiffany Smith did so against LaGrange College in 1993, the first season in program history.
The entirety of the Tigers’ offensive output came from its celebrated senior class as Taylor Chism and Shelby Sallee joined Flurey on the scoresheet.
“Everyone is doing their job,” Chism said. “From the forwards to the midfielders to the backs. It’s a whole team effort; everyone truly deserves credit. It feels amazing to see our hard work paying off.”
Overall, Auburn outshot Kennesaw State 28-0 and laced 12 of its opportunities on frame.
“Proud of the effort on both sides of the ball, head coach James Armstrong said. “I thought we created some really good chances today. We still need to be a bit better with our efficiency, but the defense shut it down in the last two games against two good teams. We’re trending in the right direction.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
Auburn’s first of the afternoon came in the 15th minute after junior Jordyn Crosby pelted a cross from the left edge of the box into junior Olivia Woodson around the six. Woodson chested the ball to Flurey, who took two touches before releasing a left-footed laser over the opposing goalkeeper’s head.
Just 27 seconds after the opener, Flurey struck again. Woodson played a beautiful through ball to senior Dylan Driver, who made a smart run into the box up the right side, creating a two-versus-one with herself and Flurey against the goalkeeper. Driver played square ball to Flurey, who walked the ball into the open net.
Junior Grace Ivey earned the first assist on the Tigers’ third goal in minute 25, finding space in the midfield before passing to an overlapping freshman Tyler Clyburn. Clyburn made an endline run up the right flank before delivering a perfectly placed cross to Flurey just inside the six. Flurey headed the ball with power inside the left post.
In the 42nd minute, Sallee found her first of the season after finishing her own deflected shot with a left-footed stinger that found a home on the top shelf.
Flurey made history less than four minutes into the second half with her fourth and final goal of the day. Chism dumped a ball in behind the Owls’ backline for Crosby to run onto. Crosby crossed to Flurey, who put it away with a right-footed poke inside the near post.
A corner kick in minute 55 led to the Tigers' sixth and final score. Senior Hayden Colson served a tight ball to the far post, which the Owls’ goalkeeper parried out, but lingering around the penalty spot was Chism, who headed it back where it came from on her first touch.
AUBURN NOTABLES
Flurey is the first Auburn player to score four goals in a match in 32 years. Tiffany Smith did so in 1993 versus LaGrange College, the fifth game in program history. Flurey’s first and second goals came just 27 seconds apart, also securing the second-fastest brace in school history.
Auburn completes the weekend outshooting its opponents 57-0. It’s just the second time in program history the Tigers have recorded back-to-back matches with zero shots conceded (2021: Chattanooga & Alabama A&M).
Crosby and Clyburn each recorded their first career assists in the match. Crosby earned two, on the first and fifth goals, while Clyburn had the final cross on Flurey’s header.
Junior goalkeeper Avery Gillahan made her Auburn debut, checking into the match at the start of the second half and pairing with freshman Ayana Yapo to keep the clean sheet intact.
UP NEXT
A pair of matches in Utah await the Tigers as they hit the road for the first time this season, facing No. 19 BYU on Friday, Aug. 29, and Utah Valley on Monday, Sept. 1.