NORMAN, Okla. —A pair of second-half goals from fifth-year Dylan Driver propelled Auburn soccer to another ranked win as the Tigers took down No. 20 Oklahoma 2-0 on Friday evening at John Crain Field.
The Tigers (8-2-3, 4-2-0 SEC) defeated back-to-back ranked opponents during the regular season for the first time since beating No. 24 LSU and No. 9 Florida during the 2015 campaign.
Oklahoma (9-3-2, 3-3-0 SEC) had not been shut out at home in exactly a year and had scored in every match this season before being held scoreless by Auburn's defense. The Sooners managed just two shots on goal, their lowest total since also being held to two at Auburn last season.
“Another game where this team did everything that we asked of them,” head coach James Armstrong said. “They showed fight and bravery on the road tonight against a very good Oklahoma team. This is a group who really believe in each other and show their togetherness when they step on the field. War Damn Eagle!”
Sophomore outside back Allison Goodwin made an inverted run and threaded a through ball to find Driver near the penalty spot. Driver fired a low shot inside the post on her second touch to put the Tigers ahead in the 62nd minute.
“Ally always finds a great slot ball through, so I was just waiting there for it, making sure I was staying onsides,” Driver said postgame. “I was able to take a touch and find the corner of the net. I've really been working on clinical finishing and making sure that I make every chance count. I was really happy to see that first one go in and build momentum for my team.”
Driver completed the brace just nine minutes later on a long ball up the right side from senior Eva Pattison. Driver cut her defender and caught the Sooner keeper high, putting the ball away with her left foot, for the first two-goal match of her career.
“As you can tell, our defense is incredible. It’s great practice to get those 1-v-1 opportunities and that finishing. Same thing with our keepers, they're great to practice against. They make it hard. It's very game like so when I'm in the games and have the situations, I feel prepared for it. I'm so thankful that I was able to put both of them away to help our team get this win,” Driver said.
The Tigers continued their dominant defensive stretch, recording their 10th shutout in 13 matches after limiting Oklahoma to one corner kick and the aforementioned two shots on goal.
Auburn's 10 clean sheets this season match the 2008 and 2014 teams for the third most in program history.
Auburn's back line has allowed just three goals this season, leading the SEC and ranking tied for second nationally. The total also marks the fewest goals allowed in program history through 13 matches. Additionally, the Tigers have yet to allow a second-half goal this season.
The Tigers return to The Plains next week for their final two home matches of the regular season, taking on Kentucky on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 6:30 p.m. CT before closing out the home slate against Mississippi State on Sunday, Oct. 18, at 5 p.m. CT.
For more information on the Auburn soccer team, follow @auburnsoccer on X, Instagram and Facebook.