Auburn Soccer Draws in “Heartbreaking” Fashion to Vanderbilt
Auburn Soccer (4-3-5, 0-3-1) still looks for first conference win after last minute goal from the Vanderbilt Commodores (8-1-2, 2-0-1) results in 1-1 draw. After an uncharacteristic start to conference play, the Tigers allow just one goal in their sixth consecutive contest in another solid defensive performance.
After not scoring in their first three conference matches, it was graduate midfielder Grace Sklopan (2) to net the Tiger’s first goal in the 17th minute. The goal was Auburn’s first since the 1-1 draw at Samford on September 11th. The goal was assisted by Thatcher and Waesh.
It was a rather chippy match seeing a total of two yellow cards, first from Vanderbilts Hannah McLaughlin for unsportsmanlike conduct in the 39th minute. In the second half, it was Auburn’s Carly Thatcher on a questionable shove that was called for unsportsmanlike conduct. On the night, there were a total of 20 fouls between the teams.
The climax of the night unfortunately sided with Vanderbilts Ella Shamburger who scored the Commodores first and final goal of the night with 31 seconds remaining in regulation. The goal was unassisted off a free kick.
“This is a heartbreaker; we did everything we needed to do to win the game and we just couldn’t close it out with 30 seconds left” Hoppa said.
Auburn will travel to Lexington, Kentucky on Thursday for a battle with the Wildcats for a 6 p.m. kickoff. The Tigers return home October 9th (Sun) for Mental Health Awareness afternoon with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m. Listen to all Auburn Soccer home matches live on 91.1 FM and streaming on weglfm.com.
