The Auburn Tigers women’s soccer team is on the road this week, heading to Music City to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores. After a tough loss to LSU, Auburn is looking to rebound in this week's game, while Vanderbilt hopes to maintain their solid start in their SEC matches.
The Tigers have been a strong defensive team and have been showing their competitiveness throughout the season thus far. Auburn has allowed just 11 goals across 11 matches and has leaned on its backline to keep matches close. Ayana Yapo, a redshirt freshman goalkeeper, has spearheaded the defense through numerous shutouts and clutch saves in crucial circumstances. While this level of play has been consistent, sudden mistakes have cost Auburn goals, most notably in an overtime draw against Mississippi State.
Auburn’s goal for the game this week is to stay strong and competitive throughout the entirety of the game. They usually start strong but tend to fade in power as they near the end. They create significant opportunities and are perceived as dangerous in prime positions, but their loss of momentum near the end of their matches has been detrimental. Auburn's offense will have to leverage its plays in front of the net to win on the road, particularly against a Vanderbilt defense that has conceded few goals this season.
Vanderbilt boasts one of the most diversified portfolios in the SEC. The Commodores have experienced two defeats so far this SEC season, versus the Texas Longhorns and the Arkansas Razorbacks. Their capacity to maintain pressure, win possessions in the midfield consistently, and convert quickly into attack has posed challenges for adversaries this autumn. Auburn has to retain control when tested and prevent mistakes, which could lead to crucial counterattacks by Vanderbilt.
The record of these schools is highly intense, with Auburn retaining the advantage in the past few seasons. However, last season's 2-2 tie against Auburn demonstrated Vanderbilt's potential to interfere with the Tigers' progress. Auburn will be wary of the Commodores' tendency to take advantage of defensive blunders and will strive to maintain discipline throughout the game.
The game gives Auburn a chance to show itself versus one of the SEC's strongest squads while also climbing the league standings. An away victory would not only improve the Tigers' standings but also enhance their optimism as the year progresses.
Thursday's kickoff is planned for 7:00 p.m. CDT at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex. The match will be broadcast live on SECN+.
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Cate is a junior majoring in journalism sports production. She started with The Plainsman in the fall of 2025.
You can follow her on X (Twitter) at @catemcmackin_
