AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) - Auburn Soccer showed off their heart and determination this week, when they beat Ole Miss 1-0 after two overtimes and then played a man down the last 35 minutes of the game and beat No. 12 Georgia 1-0 in Athens.
Their strong performances earned some Auburn student-athletes multiple awards.
Senior Sarah Houchin was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week for her performance in both of Auburn’s wins last week.
This award is the first of Houchin’s career and the second time an Auburn player earned SEC honors this season. Freshman goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska was named SEC Freshman of the week following her performance in week one of play.
Houchin, a captain on the team, is a true leader for the Tigers.
"She really is the leader of our team as a whole and certainly our defense," head coach Karen Hoppa said. "She is always steady for us. I felt, especially in the Georgia game, she elevated her defensive play. Her individual defending was incredible. She was the calm in the storm and led our team to those two victories.”
Houchin and teammate Anna Haddock were both recognized by Top Drawer Soccer this week. Houchin was named to Team of the Week and Haddock was an honorable mention honoree.
The pair are just the second and third to be recognized by Top Drawer Soccer this season, as Prohaska was named to Team of the Week following Auburn’s tie against Mississippi State.
Haddock played a key role in the Tigers’ win over Ole Miss, as she served the corner kick that led to Auburn’s goal with less than five seconds left in double overtime.
Haddock, a freshman, has played all 310 minutes through three games. Haddock also served the free kick that led to a penalty, which gave the Tigers the 1-0 win against Georgia.
Because of Auburn’s two dramatic wins last week, the Tigers have been ranked No.14 in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women’s Ranking, which was released Tuesday.
Auburn is 2-0-1 and is the only unbeaten team in the SEC. Auburn joins four other SEC teams in the rankings, with Arkansas at No. 7, Texas A&M at No. 9, South Carolina at No. 11 and Georgia at No.15.
Auburn returns back to action this Saturday, Oct. 24, where they will host Kentucky at 6 p.m. at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
