ATHENS, Ga. — Auburn freshman Clara Casajuana buried a crucial equalizer, the first goal of her career, in the 77th minute at No. 19 Georgia Sunday evening to see the Tigers (5-5-6, 1-3-5) through with a 1-1 tie versus the Bulldogs (9-3-5, 5-1-3) on the road at Turner Soccer Stadium.
“I was hunting for the goal, so I was very happy to put it in the back of the net,” Casajuana said. “It’s easier for me to do my job when I know I have the trust of the staff and the trust of my teammates.”
With the draw, Auburn runs its unbeaten streak to nine consecutive against Georgia.
“Anytime you go on the road in the SEC, it’s hard to get points,” Tigers head soccer coach James Armstrong said. “We’ll definitely take this one (point) today. We put in a good shift today. It was physical and hard-fought. The girls made a choice to never back down and keep fighting, and that’s what we as a staff are most proud of.”
Auburn fell behind early on a corner kick own goal in the 8th minute; however, the resilient Tigers squad never backed down. Bending but never breaking, it permitted just two on-frame chances over the match’s final 82 minutes, both of which were saved by goalkeeper Ayana Yapo.
The equalizing moment began when freshman Tyler Clyburn found junior Olivia Woodson in space up the right side in Auburn’s final third. Woodson took a touch before releasing a beautiful right-footed ball that bent to the back post, where Casajuana came crashing in and punched it into the back of the net with her right knee.
Woodson and Clyburn both earned assists on the play. Each woman now has two on the year. Woodson jumps to six for her career.
Overall, Auburn outshot a dangerous Georgia attack 14-8 and put five of its looks on frame. It was the first time the Bulldogs surrendered double-digit looks in a home conference match this year. Georgia’s two shots on goal also tied a season low.
Up next, Auburn hosts Mizzou in the final regular season match of the year, welcoming its Tiger counterpart to The Plains on Sunday, Oct 26 at 2 p.m. CT.