The Auburn Women's soccer team (4-3-3, 1-1-0) split its first two SEC games of the season last weekend with a win against Mississippi State University (8-1-0, 0-1-0) and a loss to the University of Mississippi (7-2-0, 1-0-0).
The Tigers beat the Bulldogs on a rainy Friday night, 5-1.
Head coach Karen Hoppa said the field was a mess Friday night.
"It was so wet we had to tell our backs that they couldn't pass the ball and had to clear it every time," Hoppa said.
Hoppa said they are not used to playing such a direct style of play.
"The game wasn't pretty, but the girls adjusted well to playing long ball," Hoppa said.
Auburn took the 1-0 lead on a goal headed in by senior forward Stephanie Fransoso in the 27th minute.
The Tigers would not relinquish the lead the rest of the night.
Sophomore Katy Frierson scored her third goal of the season four minutes after Fransoso's to give Auburn a 2-0 lead.
The shutout didn't last much longer as Mississippi State put a goal by freshman goalkeeper Amy Howard in the 32nd minute.
Scoring was put on hold for the rest of the first half as the Tigers out-shot the Bulldogs 13-6.
It didn't take Auburn long to extend its lead in the second half.
Sophomore defender Julie King scored her first goal of the season in the 54th minute.
Senior forward Caitlin King and junior defender Heather Havron assisted on Julie's goal that put Auburn up 3-1.
Julie said she was glad to put the team up by another goal.
"It was really exciting to get the goal, and it was cool that my sister got the assist after Heather's (Havron) corner kick," Julie said.
Senior midfielder Becca Howell netted a goal from the top of the six-yard box late in the 63rd minute.
Senior midfielder Chelsea Yauch ended the scoring two minutes later assisted by Howell.
Auburn stayed in Mississippi for the weekend to face Ole Miss Sunday.
The game went into double overtime and ended on an Ole Miss penalty kick in the 105th minute.
Hoppa said the Rebels had a significant advantage by having their game rained out Friday night.
"Soccer is not like baseball where you can play everyday," Hoppa said. "Our legs were heavy, but we played well despite their advantage."
Julie echoed what Hoppa said about Ole Miss having an advantage.
"We had a lot of dead legs on Sunday," Julie said.
Howell opened up the scoring to put the Tigers on top 1-0 in the 15th minute.
The Rebels were able to tie the game at one in the 42nd minute.
Auburn was able to retake the lead in the 70th minute on account of freshman midfielder Ana Cate's first collegiate goal.
The 2-1 lead only lasted seven minutes until Ole Miss tied the game once again.
The game remained tied and went into overtime.
Ole Miss was awarded a penalty kick 43 seconds into the second overtime when freshman defender Christine Schweer was called for a penalty.
Senior Rebel forward Hannah Weatherly converted on the penalty kick that won Ole Miss the game.
Despite the loss, Julie said Howard has been playing well.
"Amy plays with the confidence of a veteran," Julie said. "As a defender, I am confident having her in goal behind me,"
Julie was also proud Auburn fought hard Sunday, even in defeat.
"It was a good overtime test for us," Julie said. "They were a tough team and will help us prepare for the rest of our SEC games."
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