Sophomore midfielder Katy Frierson leads the Auburn Women's Soccer team on and off the field.
Frierson ties with senior forward Rebecca Howell for the most goals scored this season, each scoring four of the Tigers' 21 goals this season, earning the team its 5-6-3, 2-4-0 SEC record.
"(The team has) such chemistry on and off the field and genuinely enjoy one another," Frierson said.
The Homewood native started playing soccer when she was 5 years old in addition to other activities and when she was 11 her main focus became soccer.
A graduate of Homewood High School, Frierson was a member of the Birmingham United 90 Club Team and the U-23 National Team the year it won the 2008 Nordic Cup in Falun, Sweden.
Frierson was the youngest player on the U-23 roster and the only player that plays for an SEC team.
SoccerBuzz had Frierson ranked as No. 7 recruit in the nation, and she is the highest ranked recruit to sign and play for Auburn.
Her freshman year at Auburn, Frierson was named SEC Freshman of the Year, SEC All-Freshman Team, Soccer America All-Freshman Team, SoccerBuzz Freshman All-American and All-Region team and TopDrawerSoccer.com All-Rookie Second Team.
For Auburn, she earned Team Offensive MVP, Rookie of the Year and the Coaches Award.
With her awards and top-ranking statistics, Frierson has made her mark at Auburn in only two years.
"My personal goal for the team at the beginning of the season was to go undefeated in the SEC and win the regular season championship," Frierson said. "But after several tough losses, that's not realistic anymore. Now I would say we just need to come together as a team and respond from this tough stretch in our season and go 5-0 in our next five games."
The team most recently fell to No. 7 South Carolina and No. 14 Florida. However, it has a lot of games of which to be proud.
"Tying UNC, the No. 1 team in the nation, was a great moment," Frierson said. "It was a total team effort and we all got a glimpse of what it's like when we truly play for one another."
The Tigers played the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill Sept. 20 and held them to a scoreless double-overtime tie.
Frierson said the team is working hard to come together and "take care of business" in the regular season.
"This year it's been a bit tougher finding that player and overall rhythm," Frierson said. "But our midfield unit has been playing very well together. 'JPro' (Jenni Prescott), Chelsea (Yauch) and I have been playing together for a while so we've picked up on each others' tendencies and strengths. They've both had great years and do their jobs so well that it gives me more freedom to push forward and create."
Frierson said she is working to improve her shooting and defending and to stay mentally focused and not get easily frustrated.
"But when it comes down to it, I just want to help our team and seniors get to a new level in Auburn soccer and do my role as best as I can to achieve that team goal," Frierson said.
As for her post-graduate plans, Frierson said she is not sure if she is ready for "a big girl job yet," but she would love to play soccer professionally
She is also considering coaching because she loves the sport so much.
Frierson will be in action with the rest of her team when Auburn takes on Vanderbilt at home Friday at 7:30 p.m.
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