AUBURN, AL (EETV)- Auburn soccer has been off to a red-hot start this year, and with their first goals allowed coming nine games into the season, things are looking as promising as they ever have for the Tigers.
Auburn Soccer is ranked #6 overall in the nation (rankings subject to change) after a remarkable 8-0 start to the year and are currently sitting at 9-0-1 after their first two games of conference play. After their 2-2 tie with the Vanderbilt Commodores and a 1-0 victory against the Florida Gators-- both games being played at home-- Auburn is set to travel to East Texas, where they will go head-to-head with the Aggies of Texas A&M in College Station. This will be the Tigers’ toughest game to date, as a road SEC matchup always presents a challenge. On top of that, the Tigers have yet to compete in an out-of-state matchup this season.
So why believe in the Tigers?
Defense.
The Auburn Tigers allowed ZERO goals throughout their first eight games of the season. A combined 33-2 score over the first ten games of the year shows how important defense is in a Karen Hoppa-coached team.
Perhaps their most brilliant defensive effort thus far came against the then-ranked #17 team in the country, the Ohio State Buckeyes, on September 3rd. Holding their first top-25 opponent of the season to zero goals and topping the Buckeyes 1-0 was a statement victory. This win set the tone for what we can expect to see out of our Tigers' defense in the continuing SEC gauntlet.
Coaching.
Coach Karen Hoppa has been the leader of Auburn soccer over the span of four different decades. With her career with the Tigers beginning in 1999, she has seen it all here on the Plains. With the coaching turnover we Auburn fans are used to in so many of our favorite sports, it’s refreshing to have a constant and successful one at that.
Experience.
With 16 upperclassmen on the roster this year, it’s safe to say experience has been a factor in the Tigers’ early success. Combining the experience of these young women on the field and the experience of Coach Karen Hoppa as an accomplished and motivated leader is a recipe that is bound for success. This Tiger team seems to have it all figured out early, and there’s reason to believe that will continue on throughout the most taxing stretch of the regular season.
Catch the Tigers back in action against the Aggies this Thursday on SEC Network+ (7:00 PM CDT) to see if they can keep the magic alive!
