AUBURN, Ala. — More than three points are on the line this weekend as Auburn soccer hits the road and plays for the rivalry trophy in the 35th edition of the Iron Bowl of Soccer, set for Friday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. CT.
“Alabama are a group that is well-coached. They’re all good soccer players and very comfortable on the ball,” Auburn head coach James Armstrong said. “They’ve got some special players going forward, like Gianna Paul, but the teams we’ve faced up to this point have prepared us for this week. We’re going to need energy and focus for the full 90. We’re going to have to be at our best on both sides of the ball if we want to come out on top in such an intense rivalry.”
The winning squad in Friday’s match earns possession of the rivalry trophy for one year, until the next regular season meeting. In the event of a draw, the trophy remains with the team who won it last.
AUBURN NOTABLES
Last time out against No. 10 South Carolina, senior Erin Flurey netted her team-leading ninth goal of the year on a penalty kick in the 30th minute. Flurey is three-for-three from the spot this season and now seven-for-seven from the spot in her career.
The draw against the Gamecocks marked Auburn’s second match taking points off a top-15 opponent this season. In addition to South Carolina, the Tigers also took points off No. 12 Mississippi State on the road in September.
Heading down the final stretch of the regular season, Auburn sits 67th in the latest RPI. The Tigers hold their postseason fate in their own hands as three of their four remaining matches are against top-50 teams. Auburn finishes the conference slate against Alabama (29), Oklahoma (40), Georgia (48) and Missouri (94).
SCOUTING ALABAMA
Led by head coach Wes Hart, Alabama is 9-4-1 overall and 3-3-0 in conference play this season. The Crimson Tide’s best nonconference result was a 1-1 draw at No. 3 Duke. In SEC play, they’ve beaten LSU (2-1), Texas (4-3) and Missouri (3-0). Their losses have come versus No. 23 North Carolina (4-0), No. 17 South Carolina (2-1), Kentucky (2-1) and Oklahoma (3-1).
Goal-scoring has been the name of the game for Hart’s squad as they led the SEC in goals scored (32) and shots taken (249). Alabama has three players with five-plus goals and five players with three-plus assists. Senior Gianna Paul’s 19 points on seven goals and five assists are tops for her squad.
Defensively, the Tide has been more vulnerable as it has surrendered 20 goals to its opponents, including 11 in six league games. Freshman Madi Munguia won the starting job in goal. She’s got a 1.33 goals-against average with 24 saves, a 63% save rate and three shutouts.
Auburn leads the all-time series with Alabama 19-12-3 but has not held the IBOS trophy since 2019. As an assistant coach on The Plains from 2013-18, Armstrong went undefeated against the Tide, going 5-0. Three of those wins came in Tuscaloosa.
UP NEXT
Auburn plays two of its final three regular season matches next week. First, it faces Oklahoma at home on Sunday, Oct. 16, and then travels to No. 22 Georgia on Sunday, Oct. 19.