GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Auburn soccer battled Florida to a 1-1 draw Thursday night at Donald R. Dizney Stadium, with senior Jordyn Crosby scoring her first goal of the season to give the Tigers an early lead.
“I'm really proud of the fight of the girls tonight,” head coach James Armstrong said. “I wish we could have got the three points, but we created some really good chances, limited a very good Florida team to fewer chances than other opponents have. It’s a tough place to go. It’s always tough on the road. I thought the fight, three games in seven days, and the fight that they showed was testament to all the hard work that they're putting in. We'll enjoy the rest right now until we go back and get ready to play Texas.”
Crosby put the Tigers (8-2-6, 4-2-3 SEC) ahead in the 21st minute, firing a shot into the far corner for her first goal of the season. The scoring sequence began with midfielder Kelly Gordon sending a cross into the box for Gracie Brown, who headed the ball away from the Florida goalkeeper and toward forward Hannah Bell. Bell laid the ball off to Crosby, who finished to give Auburn the lead.
Florida (6-6-4, 2-4-3 SEC) answered with a goal of their own in the 31st minute, as Courtney Hogan found the back of the net for the first time in her collegiate career.
With five goals allowed, Auburn is on pace to break its program record for fewest goals conceded in a regular season. The 2022 team holds the current mark with 13 goals allowed.
The Tigers' defensive numbers continue to rank among the nation's best. Auburn has surrendered the fewest goals in the SEC and is tied for the second-fewest nationally. The Tigers also have yet to concede a second-half goal this season.
Auburn finished with a 10-9 advantage in shots, while Florida held a 3-2 edge in shots on goal and a 58-42 advantage in possession. Goalkeeper Ayana Yapo made two saves for the Tigers.
The Tigers continued to create chances after the break, with Ava Caldwell recording three second-half shots. Tahirah Turnage-Morales put a shot on target in the 82nd minute, but Florida goalkeeper Paloma Pena made the save. Dylan Driver’s attempt in the closing seconds was blocked as the match ended in a draw.
Florida was reduced to 10 players in the 88th minute when Lena Bailey received a red card for violent behavior, but Auburn was unable to find a late winner.
Auburn will close the regular season on the road against Texas on Nov. 1 at noon before the SEC Tournament begins Nov. 8.
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No. 25 Auburn earns hard-fought draw at Florida
