The Auburn (8-3, 2-2 SEC) soccer team attempted to rally from a 3-0 deficit in the second half but ultimately came up short on the road against 17th ranked South Carolina (9-2, 4-0 SEC) in a 3-2 loss. Auburn scored twice in the second half including with six minutes to play but could not find the equalizer in the final minutes.
South Carolina jumped out to an early lead just three and a half minutes into the game on a goal by Jyllissa Harris. Harris was assisted by Lauren Chang on the early goal. The Gamecocks doubled their advantage in the nineteenth minute on a goal by Catherine Barry.
In the second half, South Carolina once again scored an early goal, this time in the second minute, when Ryan Gareis found the back of the net. However, Auburn showed their mettle late in the second half. The Gamecocks had only allowed seven goals all year, but the Tigers were able to find the back of the net twice in the final 27 minutes.
Senior Alyssa Malonson got the scoring started in the 54th minute with her second goal of the year. Malonson was assisted by Anna Haddock and M.E. Craven. Marissa Arias got the Tigers within one when she scored in the 84th minute. It was Arias’ fifth goal of the season which ranks second on the team.
South Carolina recorded nine shots, including five on goal. Maddie Prohaska did make two saves on the evening. The Tigers meanwhile recorded six shots of which three were on goal. Sydney Richards recorded the third shot on goal but was unable to beat Heather Hinz, the Gamecocks’ goalie. Auburn will look to bounce back when they travel to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Starkville on Thursday, October 7.
