AUBURN, Ala. – Head coach Karen Hoppa earned her 250th win against Georgia, 1-0, Saturday at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
The Tigers had their third shutout in four games this spring and this game marked the team’s third win against Georgia this season.
"It's really hard to beat a team twice in the same season when you don't play that type of schedule, and so to do it three times, I can't remember a time in my career we've done that," head coach Karen Hoppa said. "The girls really rallied around that idea of getting a hat trick in a season, and I told them this is probably the only chance they'll ever have in their careers. So, they were definitely fired up about that."
Olivia Candelino scored in the 62nd minute to win the game for the Tigers. The goal was her second of the spring, and Madeline Moore had her first career points with an assist on the play.
"Yeah, it feels awesome to finally get that rewarding win, because that's what we work towards is all three points," Candelino said. "When we fall short, it's just like we go back to practice, keep working and make sure we're ready for the weekend."
Auburn had a few chances to score in the first half. Maddie Simpson won a header inside the 18 and Olivia Dedels attempted the shot, but the Georgia goalkeeper Emory Wegner kept her team in the game through the first half.
Moore won possession in the Tigers’ attacking half and passed to Candelino, and she was one-on-one with the Georgia center back. The freshman beat her and struck the ball inside the upper 90 to take the lead.
"What a goal by Olivia Candelino. Holy cow," Hoppa said. "That was a tremendous goal really created and produced by two freshmen."
"I was really advantageous of that space because that defender was really good," Candelino added. "I had that little opening; I saw it and I shot. It was just a really good team win."
Auburn’s sixth shutout of the season marked Maddie Prohaska's fifth solo shutout of the season, and she lowered her goals-against average to 0.89.
"It was a really gritty performance and great job by our defense and Maddie Prohaska," Hoppa added. "She was frustrated with the goal she gave up last weekend and she put in the work this week in practice. They got in behind our backs more times than I would want as a coach, But Prohaska was ready for that task every single time."
Eighteen Auburn Tigers made the field in the game, including four who played all 90 minutes.
Auburn had six out of seven shots on target, led by two from Hailey Whitaker
The Lady Tigers spring season continues on the road against Louisville on Mar. 20 and against Alabama on Mar. 27.
