AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn puts everything on the line this weekend as it hosts Missouri on Sunday, Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. CT in the final match of the regular season.
Postseason implications hang in the balance as a victory would see Auburn through to the 2025 SEC Soccer Tournament, set for Nov. 2-9 at the Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex in Pensacola, Florida.
“We control our own destiny,” head coach James Armstrong said. “The bottom line is that we’re at home and we’re playing well right now. We’ve got to go out there and take care of business ourselves and not rely on anybody else. If the Auburn family can show up in full force and cheer us on, that would be huge for us.”
Nick Flohre and Lyn Rollins have Sunday’s call on SECN+. Radio coverage can also be found at WEGL 91.1.
AUBURN NOTABLES
Last time out, Auburn picked up its third draw against a ranked opponent this season, matching No. 19 Georgia 1-1 on the road. Freshman Clara Casajuana broke through in the 77th minute with her first collegiate goal to equalize the match.
Casajuana is the fourth Auburn freshman to get on the scoresheet with their first goal or assist this season. Preceding her were Tyler Clyburn (2a), Gracie Brown (1g, 1a) and Ava Caldwell (1g).
With only 16 goals conceded through 16 matches, Auburn averages an applaudable 1.00 goal against per 90 minutes this season. The Tigers’ defense has limited the opposition to a single goal or less on all but three occasions.
SCOUTING MISSOURI
Led by head coach Stefanie Golan, Missouri is 4-10-2 this season and is 1-7-1 in SEC play. In non-conference, Golan’s Tigers defeated Youngstown State (5-0), Missouri State (2-0) and Kansas City (1-0). They opened conference play with a 3-1 win against Texas.
Defense has been a bright spot for this Missouri side as it has not allowed more than two goals against in 14 of 16 matches this season. Goalkeeper Kate Phillips racked up 54 saves and three shutouts in her squad’s first 15 matches of the season; however, it was Riley Wilkerson who dazzled with five saves and a clean sheet of her own in her season debut last week to help Mizzou to a 0-0 draw with No. 11 Arkansas.
Goal scoring has been harder to come by for the Tigers. Their 14 goals for rank 15th in the league. They’ve scored four goals in SEC matches this season, three of which came in the win versus the Longhorns. The other was found in a 2-1 loss at Texas A&M. Olivia Chianelli leads Missouri with three goals to her credit this season, two of which she bagged in conference play.
Series history with Missouri narrowly favors the visiting team, 4-5-1. Auburn is 3-2 when playing Missouri at home, including wins in each of the last three meetings on The Plains. The last time both squads met was 2023, when Auburn found one goal from Anna Haddock and a brace from Sydney Richards to seal a 3-2 win.
PROMOTIONS
Spooky Season hits The Plains this week as it’s Monster Match day at the Auburn Soccer Complex. Pregame trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting and other Halloween festivities will be available for members of Aubie’s Kids Club under the white tent from 1-2 p.m. CT.