(Auburn, Ala) On Sunday October 7th, 2018, the Auburn Tigers welcomed the Georgia Bulldogs to the Auburn Soccer complex. Both teams coming into the game with the same conference record of 1-3-1 but Auburn having the overall record advantage 9-3-1 compared to 4-6-3 for Georgia.
This game would prove to be a must win for the Tigers if they wanted to pull themselves out of their 3 game losing streak. This rivalry game was bound to be a close one from the start.
In the first half both teams flashed signs of offense as both teams would drive down field and take multiple shots on goal but both goalkeepers, Emory Wegener (UGA) and Sarah Le Beau (AUB), stood tall in their defensive efforts.
Treva Aycock, Auburn’s forward, had 4 shots in the first half but none of them would find the back of the net.
Georgia’s midfielder Bella Ponzi showed her defense throughout the whole first half by intercepting many passes from Auburn which would be a big reason both teams went into the half scoreless.
To start the second half, Auburn would continue their defensive efforts. Georgia got a free kick at the 63’ mark with Reagan Glisson but was cleared by the Auburn front.
Quickly after in the 65’ mark Georgia’s goalkeeper Emory Wegner left the goal wide open and Auburn took full advantage by scoring the game’s first goal. Treva Aycock scored this goal and it was her 7th goal of the season. In order to lock up this conference win, the Tigers would have to hold their ground on defense and they did just that.
The Auburn defense did not allow any easy shots the rest of the game and Sarah Le Beau continued to prove why she is one of the more elite goalies in the SEC.
When it was all said and done after this defensive slug fest, the Tigers were finally able to say that they came out victorious against Georgia with 1-0 being the final score. After the game in her postgame interview with WEGL Coach Hoppa was pleased with the big SEC victory.
Auburn’s next game is Sunday October 14th at 2:00 CST at Missouri who is also 2-3-1 in conference like Auburn, but is 5-7-2 after losing on the road to LSU 2-1 on Sunday October 7th.
