AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn Tigers (5-3-2, SEC: 1-1-0) opened their SEC home slate with a tiger battle against the Missouri Tigers (5-3-2, SEC: 1-1-0) in which the Tigers of Auburn grabbed an important 3-2 win off the leg of Sydney Richards, who recorded her second brace of the season and fourth of her career.
With the brace Richards becomes the fourth tiger in program history to have at least four braces in their careers, joining the ranks of Katy Frierson, Cassie Ramsier, Kristen Dodson. With the goals being scored in the 33rd minute and a game winner in the 68th minute.
"It was a product of the team playing well together and finding good opportunities. I'm happy that I could make the most of those that came to me," Richards said.
Although scoring over have the goals for the team Richards was not the first, that distinction goes to Anna Haddock, who’s goal in the 11th Minute was the first since the Tigers made a trip to West Virginia on September 7th.
"Obviously, last week was not the result we wanted, so we had to take advantage of playing at home," Haddock said. "We knew our only option tonight was to get the job done. It's huge for our confidence to know that we've got the fight and that we're never out of a game. It feels great to get us back on the right at home under the Thursday night lights."
Despite the start that resulted in a 2-0 lead going into the second half, Auburn would let up two goals in the second half that tied it up at two with 30 minutes left to go in the second half. The first came soon in the second half from freshman sensation Kylee Simmons at the 49th minute mark making it her eighth goal of the season.
In the 60th minute Leah Selm would score the equalizer tying the game back up at two apiece. Setting the stage for Richards to get the game winner in the 67th minute for her fourth goal of the season. Let the Tigers of Auburn win their SEC home opener in dramatic fashion.
"What a great win," Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa said. "Boy, did Syd (Richards) sure shine and show just what she's made of. We saw a lot of positive, encouraging things out of our team tonight. There's certainly things we can work on, but it sure is much more fun to learn from a win than from a loss."
Auburn has a short turnaround and a road trip as they travel to face the Ole Miss Rebels on September 24th at 2:00 p.m.
