AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn soccer battled Kentucky to a 1-1 draw Thursday night at the Auburn Soccer Complex, with junior Gracie Brown scoring her third goal of the season and goalkeeper Ayana Yapo recording a career-high five saves.
“I think it took us too long to get into the game at the start, which is unlike us,” head coach James Armstrong said. “I thought we were a little bit hesitant on both sides of the ball. I think we were waiting for somebody else to do something. They got their goal, which is disappointing from our standpoint, but the response to that goal was fantastic.
“I thought the best part of the game for us was the last 15 minutes of the first half, and then probably the last 20 minutes of the second half. We just got to put 90 minutes together, and that was our mentality key today. I’m proud of the girls for the effort tonight, but I think we left something on the table.”
Kentucky (7-5-2, 3-2-2 SEC) struck first in the 19th minute when Juliette Rayo scored her seventh goal of the season to give the Wildcats an early advantage.
The Tigers (8-2-4, 4-2-1 SEC) answered just before halftime with a well-executed equalizer in the 43rd minute. Kennedy Husbands sent a cross into the box, where Brown rose to meet it and headed the ball down toward the bottom of the far post to level the score at 1-1. The goal was Brown’s third of the season, with Husbands and Jordyn Crosby earning assists.
Auburn continued to generate chances in the second half, earning seven corner kicks after the break, but neither side could find a go-ahead goal.
Yapo made three saves in the second half to finish with a career-high five stops. The Tigers held advantages in shots (13-11), corner kicks (8-4) and possession (61%), but could not find a winner.
Despite the goal allowed, the Tigers are on pace to shatter the program record for fewest goals allowed in a regular season, set at 13 in 2022, as Auburn continues to put together one of the stingiest defensive campaigns in program history.
Auburn’s back line has allowed just four goals this season, the fewest in the SEC and tied for the second-fewest nationally. The Tigers have also yet to concede a second-half goal this season.
Auburn closes out its regular-season home slate against Mississippi State on Sunday, Oct. 18, at 5 p.m. CT.
Fans can add the soccer Aubie bobblehead to their collections as part of a series of five bobbleheads available at select Auburn home events throughout the season.
For more information on Auburn soccer, follow @auburnsoccer on X, Instagram and Facebook.