AUBURN, Ala (EETV) - Auburn's (6-6-4, 2-4-2) struggles in SEC play continue after a 1-0 loss to Florida (6-5-4, 2-4-2). The Gator's game-winning kick came on a free kick late in the first half, by Lena Bailey.
Bailey's goal was assisted by Davania Vaka, who placed her freekick on net only to be blocked by Maddie Prohaska, Auburn's Keeper, however, Bailey was in the box along with several other Gators overwhelming Prohaska and Bailey touched it in.
The Tigers created seven chances, three on goal. However, they were all saved by Florida's keeper Alexa Goldberg, who ended the match with three saves. The Tigers struggled to open a window to score in the second half. A late attempt to tie the game came in the closing minutes of the match with Carly Thatcher who took two touches near the arc before sending her shot on the far upper 90, only to be tipped by Goldberg.
Prohaska saved three out of the four shots on goal by Florida. The 12th game this season Prohaska has kept her opponent to one or zero goals, seven of those being shutouts.
The Gators did a good job of holding their backline, forcing eight offside penalties on the Tigers. Certainly not what the Tigers had in their game plan but the late pressing to try and tie the game resulted in some un-needed penalties.
"We are certainly disappointed to come away with no points tonight, but that's on us," said Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa. "We have to be better in the final third to be successful down the stretch."
Tonight's matchup marks the ninth time this season that Auburn failed to score a goal.
Auburn's women's soccer will be back in action at home against LSU on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. CT, for Auburn's last home match of the season.
