AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn (11-1-2) came away with a 1-1 draw against Alabama (7-3-5) Thursday night at the Auburn Soccer Complex, failing to beat their rival for the fourth consecutive year.
A rivalry like no other, the Iron Bowl knows no boundaries. That was on display Thursday night, as both teams fought ferociously to hoist the Iron Bowl of Soccer trophy, but neither team prevailed. A disappointing result for both teams, but one that will linger for the Tigers as they feel they played well enough to win.
“In the first half we didn’t play great,” Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa said. “We didn’t play the way we want to play, with our ability going forward. I thought the second half was much much better, obviously, except for the part where we gave up a goal.”
Auburn’s lone goal came off the foot of Carly Thatcher in the 59th minute on a penalty kick. The penalty was the first time Auburn was rewarded with a penalty kick in over a year, and Thatcher did not let it go to waste, burying the ball in the bottom left of the net for her third goal of the season. Although a rare occurrence for the Tigers, Thatcher routinely practices penalty kicks just in case a moment arises like it did Thursday night.
“I don’t know if you could tell, but I was shaking a little bit,” said Thatcher in a postgame interview. “I just stared the keeper in the eyes, and that’s something I practice a lot, every practice before a game I take penalty kicks, so I was ready. I had the mindset of ‘I’ve done it before, I can do it again’, so it’s just about keeping that composure.”
Missed opportunities plagued the Tigers throughout this game as they were able to get 15 shots up, with five of those shots being on goal, but only coming away with one goal. Six different Tigers were able to get shots off, with Thatcher and Olivia Woodson leading the way with four apiece. Thatcher also led the team in shots on goal, while Woodson, Beckie Contreras and Anna Haddock all had one shot on goal.
Alabama’s Gianna Paul, the conference leader in goals scored entering Thursday’s game, was held in check by the Tiger's defense. She amassed four shots, none of which were on goal, and was kept quiet throughout this one as Auburn’s defense had game-planned for the Tide’s star player. However, this plan was soured by midfielder Kate Henderson in the 52nd minute when she scored the lone goal for Alabama.
Auburn will be back in action this Sunday, October 13 in Knoxville to take on the Tennessee Volunteers. You can watch on ESPNU and listen on WEGL 91.1 FM or the Auburn Sports App.
