Auburn battled against South Carolina Friday night, eventually falling 2-1 after two late goals from the Gamecocks handed the Tigers a loss.
“They’re one of the traditionally, the best defensive teams in the country,” said head coach Karen Hoppa. “So [they’re] gonna be a tough team to break down.”
Both teams started the game with high energy, as possession alternated between the teams. The two teams traded shot attempts, but good defending overtook any chances created by the teams' offense.
“The keys are not giving up anything early, making sure our two center backs have cover when they’re defending their forwards… and getting on the ball and making stuff happen,” Hoppa said.
Auburn goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska kept the Tigers in the game in the first half. A shot by senior Catherine Barry of the Gamecocks was blocked with a high jump by Auburn’s Prohaska. Soon after, the Gamecock’s corner kick was saved again by Prohaska with a jump.
Prohaska finished the contest with three saves.
Hoppa said, “Prohaska plays great. Every game she’ll make a save or two that’s big time, that gives us a chance to win. And that’s what you want from your veteran goalkeeper.”
Auburn’s first free kick of the game by Sydney Richards was overshot, and went over the goal. With just over two minutes left in the first half, South Carolina created another chance, but Auburn's back line prevented the Gamecocks from finding the first goal of the game.
With 42 minutes left in the game, a shot by Auburn’s Anna Haddock off her left foot went over the goal for Auburn’s closest shot of the game to that point. Soon after, senior Olivia Candelino made another close shot on goal for Auburn.
The Gamecocks tried to get close to goal as well, but their corner kick ended in another save by Prohaska. Richards also tried her hand at another close shot on goal before going in for a break for the last stretch of the game.
Both teams continued battling with 13 minutes left in the game and no goals scored for either team. With just over nine minutes remaining, junior Sydney Thibodaux broke forward and scored for the Tigers, assisted by senior Maddie Simpson.
Despite Auburn’s defense trying to maintain the lead to the end of the game, freshman Regan Schubach shot over a diving Prohaska for the Gamecock’s first goal of the game. Soon after, with less than four minutes left in the game, Barry shot the ball into the bottom left of the net for South Carolina’s second goal of the game.
Despite making 12 shots overall compared to South Carolina’s five, Auburn was unable to tie the game, and the Gamecocks took the win. All three goals of the game were made within seven minutes, and the two goals for the Gamecocks were made within three.
“We played great. You know, it’s the No. 15 team in the country, and we were right there," Hoppa said. "I thought we were better for 80 minutes, unfortunately it’s a 90-minute game, and we’ve just gotta learn how to close out games against really high quality teams.”
Next up, Auburn takes on No. 9 Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. CST. The game will be televised on SEC Network.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
Ruby Hudson is a freshman from Cullman, Alabama, majoring in biomedical sciences. She joined The Plainsman in Fall 2023.
