AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) --Senior Anna Haddock recorded three assists while senior Maddie Simpson scored her first two goals of the season, creating a lifelong memory on Senior Night with their families in attendance.
“It felt great,” said Simpson. “I couldn't ask for more. Playing with those guys for the past three years, you know, we've been through a lot. So today was just really special.”
A special night it was with seniors leading the way to a 3-0 Auburn win over LSU, keeping a spot in the SEC tournament within Auburn’s striking distance.
Auburn broke the ice in the 11th minute with a header by Simpson. Haddock served the ball precisely into the box from near the midfield line. Simpson was able to rise above her defender and win the fifty-fifty ball.
Six-foot freshman, Jessica Osborne, widened Auburn’s lead to 2-0 in the 21st minute with a header into the bottom right corner off a Haddock corner kick. Osborne’s goal was her first of the season, and gave Haddock her second assist of the match.
In the 73rd minute, Simpson netted her second goal of the evening with a rocket off her left foot that beat the LSU keeper to the top left corner. Haddock tried the initial shot, but an LSU defender blocked the attempt, setting Simpson up perfectly.
“I just honestly took a chance,” Simpson said. “I don't really take that type of shot often. So, I saw an opening, and I just hoped it went in. And I just watched it go in the back of the net. It was great.”
Senior goalkeeper and captain, Maddie Prohaska, recorded a shutout in her final home game of her illustrious Auburn career.
After securing a big win at home over LSU, coach Karen Hoppa already has her eyes set on her team's final game of the regular season in Athens against the Georgia Bulldogs.
“We are only focused on Georgia right now,” said coach Hoppa. “We know if we get a result at Georgia, we're in. We control our own destiny. We don't want to be checking scores and worried about anyone else. So that's our focus right now.”
The Tigers head to Athens on Thursday in a pivotal game. That contest will kick off at 5 p.m. CST. Auburn is tied for eighth place in the SEC with 11 points, meaning the result of the regular season finale will decide Auburn’s SEC tournament fate.
