CLEMSON, S.C. – In a match that was delayed by more than two hours due to weather, Auburn and Clemson battled to a 2-2 draw after playing three 30-minute periods Wednesday night at Riggs Field.
“We’ve got a really young group, but they did a great job,” head coach Karen Hoppa said. “It’s a great starting point. There are certainly a lot of things we can fix, but the energy was there and the effort was there. The girls played really hard. It’s obviously really great to get out against somebody other than ourselves.”
Treva Aycock made her Auburn debut and accounted for the Tigers scoring with a pair of goals, one in each of the opening and closing periods. She was assisted by Rocio Sanders on both occasions while Bri Folds chipped in on the latter.
Twenty-one Tigers saw action in the match, including eight who made their Auburn debuts.
“We got a ton of girls minutes tonight,” Hoppa added. “We’re only a week into practice, so we’re still learning this team. To be able to see them in a game environment both for them to learn and grow from and for us to see what they can see against an outside opponent.”
Auburn wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard as the Tigers scored off the opening kick. Sanders played a nice through ball to Aycock, who avoided a crashing goalie and scored into an open net.
Nearly 30 minutes later, Clemson evened it up on a header off of a set piece. The homestanding Tigers took the lead late in the second period by taking advantage of an Auburn defensive miscue in the box.
Auburn answered back in the closing period as Aycock recorded the brace by beating the Clemson goalie on the far side in a one-on-one situation. Sanders took possession at the top of the attacking third and passed to Bri Folds, who played to Aycock.
Auburn will close out the preseason with an exhibition vs. Kennesaw State at the Auburn Soccer Complex on Saturday, Aug. 11 at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Prior to Saturday’s exhibition, fans are encouraged to attend the annual Auburn Fan Day presented by Golden Flake in the Indoor Practice Facility and Watson Field House from 3:30-5:30 p.m. For more information on Fan Day, click here.
