The Tigers head to enemy territory for the Iron Bowl of soccer this Friday. Auburn will play against the Alabama Crimson Tide, hoping to bounce back from a draw and secure a win against its biggest rivals. This game promises to be intense, emotional, and a formidable challenge. This deep-rooted rivalry will be evident on the field, guaranteeing an entertaining match.
Auburn is coming into the game this Friday off a tough draw against the South Carolina Gamecocks last weekend. The Tigers were leading the entire match until an unfortunate handball resulted in a penalty kick, which led to a 1-1 tie. One facet that remains consistent with this Auburn team is its strong defense. The backline has been led by seniors Taylor Chism and Hayden Colson, both of whom have made crucial defensive plays and held down their positions. Additionally, goalkeeper Ayana Yapo has been shining in the goal. Her significant efforts and key saves have been showing her dominance between the posts. Her quick reflexes have been displayed in recent games and have been truly critical.
Offensively, Auburn’s front line has been guided by star forward Erin Flurey. She has confidence in the attacking third and is seen to take risks and shots from any angle. Fleury is a constant threat to any defense and takes advantage of every opportunity presented to her. While Aubrun has been seen to start strong, they tend to dwindle near the end of games, leading to dares or losses. To succeed in Friday’s game, the Tigers will need to maintain momentum and power till the very end, holding steady on both the offensive and defensive ends.
The Crimson Tide has a balanced and competitive team this season. Gianna Paul and Larkin Thomason have led their offensive line. Paul was the squad's all-time highest scorer in 2024, earning First Team All-SEC accolades and a United Soccer Coaches All-American award. She heads her team in career goals and is a key asset for the Crimson Tide. Both players have been seen to make impressive attacks and plays, infiltrating the opposing defense and taking risks close to the goal. Alabama’s offense has been difficult to contain, and it will be interesting to see how they compete against Auburn’s standout defense in this match. Defensively, midfielder Nadia Ramadan has proven to be a threat all around the field. She has been named to the SEC Preseason Watchlist and has created numerous opportunities for the Tide this season.
Friday’s Game will be held in Tuscaloosa at the Alabama Soccer Stadium. This game is expected to be high-energy and hard-fought, with both teams competing fiercely. Auburn aims to secure a victory, while Alabama seeks to maintain its position in the SEC ranking. The tension for this game builds more and more as it comes closer. The Iron Bowl of women's soccer will undoubtedly be a game to watch and a score to keep an eye on. This game will be streamed on SEC Network+ at 7:00 pm CDT.
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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_
