For the 12th time in 16 matches, Auburn soccer comes away with another shutout, as the No. 11 Tigers (12-1-3,4-1-3) fought Kentucky (12-2-4, 2-2-4) to a scoreless tie on Friday night at the Bell Soccer Complex.
Auburn’s 12 shutouts, match its 2003 single-season record, with two regular-season matches left to play.
“I am pleased with how we improved from the first to the second half,” Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa said. “We generated many more opportunities, played better soccer, and gave up fewer chances. I love that we got a shutout on the road. That's a staple to our success—credit to our players for working hard to keep that intact tonight.
The Tigers started the game slowly, as the Wildcats outshot them 4-1 through the first 45 minutes of game time.
Kentucky put up two shots on goal, but two good saves from senior Maddie Prohaska, including a high-level kick save on a breakaway in the 21st minute, kept it a scoreless affair.
“I feel like this game gave us a good test all around the field,” Prohaska said. “It showed us that we can't take any game lightly. Every team is going to give us our best. It's good to earn a point here from a shutout, but we know we can be better moving forward and will need to be better if we want to peak in the postseason.”
Prohaska recorded her 36th career shutout, the second most by a goalkeeper in the history of the Southeastern Conference, trailing only South Carolina’s Mikayla Krzeczkowski with 50.
After recording only one shot in the first 45, Auburn came out firing notching eight in the second half, including one shot on goal from sophomore Olivia Woodson.
In the second half, the defense of the Tigers put the clamps on Kentucky, denying the Wildcats a single shot on goal in the final 45.
“In the first half, we struggled with our communication and tracking their attacking players’ movements, but as the game progressed, we really grew into it and got a lot stronger,” defensive midfielder Hayden Colson said. “We figured out what they were trying to do and we were able to communicate that across the field and it worked out well for us. A lot of our offensive chances were generated from good defense in that second half.”
This game marked just the second time this season that Kentucky has been kept scoreless at home.
The Tigers will return home to the Auburn Soccer Complex to host Georgia on Thursday, Oct. 24 in their final home match of the regular season. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CST on the 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.
Luke McClure is a senior from Huntsville, Alabama, majoring in sports production. He joined The Plainsman in fall 2023.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @lukemcclure0
