AUBURN, Ala. — Playing all 90 minutes and delivering a key assist in Auburn’s second consecutive ranked victory, senior Eva Pattison has been named SEC Defensive Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.
Pattison helped the Tigers secure a 2-0 road shutout over No. 20 Oklahoma on Friday, marking Auburn’s first time defeating back-to-back ranked opponents during the regular season since 2015.
After a scoreless first half, Auburn broke through in the 62nd minute before Pattison helped double the advantage nine minutes later. The senior sent a long ball up the right side to fifth-year forward Dylan Driver, who beat her defender and finished with her left foot to complete her first career brace and secure the 2-0 victory.
Pattison’s impact extended beyond the assist, as she played all 90 minutes while helping anchor an Auburn side that limited Oklahoma to just two shots on goal and one corner kick. The Sooners had scored in every match this season and had not been shut out at home in exactly a year before the Tigers held them scoreless.
The victory marked Auburn’s 10th shutout of the season, matching the 2008 and 2014 teams for the third most in program history. The Tigers have allowed just three goals through 13 matches, the fewest in program history at that point in a season, while continuing to lead the SEC and rank tied for second nationally in goals allowed. Auburn also has yet to concede a second-half goal this season.
The weekly honor is the first of Pattison’s career and marks the second consecutive week an Auburn player has earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Auburn’s 2026 SEC Players of the Week Honors
Oct. 12 – Eva Pattison, Defensive Player of the Week
Oct. 5 – Gracie Brown, Defensive Player of the Week
Aug. 17 – Chloe Taylor, Freshman of the Week
Pattison and the Tigers return to The Plains this 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.
Fans in attendance Thursday can snag a goalie shirsey, available while supplies last! The giveaways continue at the regular-season finale, where fans can score the soccer Aubie bobblehead, kicking off a collection of five bobbleheads available at select Auburn home events throughout the season.
For more information on the Auburn soccer team, be sure to follow @auburnsoccer on X, Instagram and Facebook.