The Auburn soccer team opened up conference play with a victory over Mississippi State and a loss against Ole Miss.
In the second week of conference play, the Tigers faced their first SEC road test in Fayetteville, Ark., against the Arkansas Razorbacks (3-6-2, 0-2-1 SEC). Going into the game, the Tigers (8-4-0, 2-2-0 SEC) had an overall record of 7-3-0, still carrying momentum from several huge nonconference wins. The Razorbacks entered the game on the first night of October with an overall record of 3-5-3 and an SEC record of 0-1-1.
While Auburn had the better record and was the favorite to win the game, it was the Razorbacks who struck first after Kelsey Allison scored in the 21st minute. Auburn star Katy Frierson responded in the 31st minute by blasting a shot into the underside of the goal's crossbar and into the back of the net.
Coming out of the locker room for the second half, Ashley Marks put the Tigers ahead 2-1 in the 56th minute. The Razorbacks responded with a neutralizing goal in the 66th minute by Kelsey Allison.
As the end of regulation neared, Jessica Rightmer was able to finish a shot after a flurry of shots by several Tigers. The goal in the 87th minute was too much for the Razorbacks to overcome, as the Tiger's notched their eighth win of the season. Julie King, Mary Nicholson and Ana Cate earned assists. Goalkeeper Amy Howard also earned her eighth win of the season.
The second road test of the year came against the Tigers of LSU in Baton Rouge, La. Similarly to Arkansas, LSU (4-5-3, 1-1-2 SEC) entered the game with a less-than-stellar record. Unfortunately for Auburn, Kellie Murphy's header off of Taryne Boudreau's corner kick put LSU up 1-0 in the 23rd minute. Auburn was only allowed two shots in the first half, with only one of the shots being on goal.
In the beginning of the second half Natalie Martineau scored a goal to widen LSU's lead by two goals in the 49th minute. While Auburn was in full attack during the second half with 10 shots, the only goal to come for Auburn was produced by a successful penalty kick by Frierson.
The penalty kick was converted in the 59th minute after an LSU defender was called for a handball in the 18-yard box. The game ended after numerous shots, and serious offensive pressure by Auburn couldn't match LSU's second goal. Auburn totaled 12 shots, and Howard had four saves.
With two weeks of conference play and an SEC record of 2-2, the Tigers now look to face two teams that are nationally ranked. Auburn faces No. 20 South Carolina on Oct. 8 and No. 6 Florida on Oct. 10.
The Gamecocks of South Carolina (9-2-2, 3-0-1 SEC) have had a successful season, with their only losses coming against Minnesota and Louisville and their tie coming against SEC opponent Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks will enter Friday night's game averaging 2.08 goals per game, because of help from players like junior midfielder/forward Kayla Grimsley and senior forward Brooke Jacobs.
Grimsley is tied with Jacobs with a team-high five goals, and leads the team with nine assists in the 13 games that have been played. Veteran senior goalkeeper Mollie Patton has accumulated 40 saves this year. The Gamecocks are the reigning SEC champions after defeating LSU in the 2009 championship game.
After the Tigers face South Carolina, they must immediately face the Florida Gators (10-1-1, 4-0 SEC). The Gators are potentially the most experienced and talented team on Auburn's schedule, with wins over No. 14 Florida State and No. 19 Duke.
The Gators' only loss comes from a defeat at the hands of No. 3 North Carolina earlier this season. Florida has an impressive offense, led by sophomore midfielder McKenzie Barney, junior midfielder/forward Tahnai Annis, sophomore midfielder/forward Erika Tymrak and senior goalkeeper Katie Fraine. The Gators average 2.58 goals per game, with Barney leading the team with nine goals and Tymrak leading the team with 6 assists.
Luckily for Auburn, the games against South Carolina and Florida will be played with home field advantage. Auburn has one similarity with Florida, in that both teams have defeated Florida State. Auburn will likely look to start strong and keep pressure on the opponent consistently throughout the game. The Tigers play South Carolina at 7 p.m. on Friday and Florida at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
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