NASHVILLE — Auburn got off eight shots, including five dangerous looks on frame, in the second half at No. 24 Vanderbilt but it was not enough to take points away from the Commodores (8-3-1, 2-2-1) as the Tigers (5-4-3, 1-2-2) fell 1-0 Thursday night at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex.
“We came out fighting in the second half. I don’t think we did that in the first half,” head coach James Armstrong said. “We’ll take a look at the film and analyze what the difference was. We’ve got no choice but to learn from and get prepared for another really good opponent Sunday.
Vanderbilt’s Sydney Watts poked in the lone goal of the match in the 13th minute thanks to a cross from the wide area. After the goal, the Tigers tightened up and did not permit a look on frame for the rest of the half.
Auburn came out reenergized in the final 45 and created various dangerous opportunities, outshooting the home squad 8-2, but could not get one over the goal line. While the offense produced six on-target shots, the defense allowed just one. It was only the second time this season that Vanderbilt had allowed more SOG than it recorded itself. The Tigers also outcornered their opponent, 4-3, for the ninth time this season.
Up next, Auburn hosts No. 10 South Carolina on Sunday, Oct. 5 ,for its Socctoberfest match. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. CT on SECN+.