Coming off a win at home, the No. 16 Auburn Tigers will travel to Baton Rouge, LA to take on the LSU Tigers in an intense SEC soccer matchup Friday
As SEC play unfolds, both Tigers are looking to improve their conference record to qualify for the SEC soccer tournament, only just a month away with LSU sitting at 2-2 in league play, while Auburn is at 2-1-1.
Both teams have critical assets that will help make this match tight, starting with Auburn’s goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska. Coming off a recent head injury, many questioned Prohaska’s ability going into Sunday’s game against Ole Miss.
However, beating the Rebels 3-0, Prohaska recorded her 34th shutout of her soccer career. She also set the record for most shutouts in Auburn history while ranking second in Southeastern Conference history.
This season, Auburn’s offense has been dangerous.
Compared to Auburn’s opponents this season, the Tigers outrank them in cumulative statistics in every category: goals (37), shots (213), shots per game (17.75), shots on goal (100), assists (39) while even having less fouls (99).
In the last five games there has been a different player to score including: forward Shelby Sallee, midfielder/forward Becky Contrearas, forward Dylan Driver, midfielder Sydney Thibodaux, forward Jordyn Crosby, midfielder Anna Haddock and forward Olivia Woodson.
However, going up against LSU, this matchup will be close.
Regarding the purple and gold Tigers, LSU’s midfielder Ida Hermannsdottir is the Tigers’ leading scorer with seven goals while contributing fourteen points overall. Hermannsdottir poses a severe threat to opponents, constantly outrunning defenders, putting multiple shots on goal with scoring the majority of the time.
LSU forward Ava Galligan is the Tigers’ second leading scorer, proving to also be dynamic. This season, she has scored twice in the last five games, while having 12 shots on goal, instilling pressure on opposing goalkeepers. Both Galligan and Hermannsdottir have led the Tigers this season and will only be looking to continue doing that against Auburn.
Upon other goals in the last five games, Galligan and Hermannsdottir are joined by midfielder Ava Amsden, forward Mollie Baker, forward Andrea Iljkic and forward Sage Glover. Similar to Auburn, both teams have a variety of players with speed, strength and stability that can get down the field to score.
Regarding LSU’s defense, goalkeeper Audur Scheving has been steady and reliable this season. Cumulatively, Scheving has saved 33 potential goals while recording three shutouts. Having home field advantage Friday will only better her chance of denying Auburn’s offense and keeping their winning record at home in the last few games versus Auburn.
Between this matchup, overall Auburn currently leads the series 21-8-5, but in the last five matchups they trail 1-2-2. If Auburn were to win this matchup, it would be their first win in Baton Rouge since 2020.
The pair of Tigers are scheduled to start at Friday, Oct. 4 at 7p.m. CST on the SEC Network+.
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Ginny is a junior majoring in sports production. She joined the Plainsman in the fall of 2024.
