WINSTON-SALEM N.C. (EETV) – A season to remember for Auburn soccer finally met its end on Friday as the Tigers were defeated by 2-0 Ohio State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Following a 4-1 defeat of FIU in round 1, Auburn knew it was entering a tough draw, likely needing wins over both the 3-seed Buckeyes and 2-seed Wake Forest Demon Deacons to make a Championship challenge. The Tigers had taken down Ohio State earlier in the season, a 1-0 victory on Sept 8 at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
Unfortunately for Auburn, though, the Buckeyes had the control for most of the rematch. The first half hour of the match went scoreless despite overwhelming Ohio State control, but the Buckeyes broke through in the 32nd minute.
A shot from senior forward Kaylin Dudukovich forced Auburn keeper Maddie Prohaska to come out of her net and make a spectacular save. However, Ohio State’s Amanda Schlueter collected the rebound off of Prohaska, found Dudukovich again, and this time the senior found the center of the still-open Auburn net to give the Buckeyes a 1-0 lead.
Schlueter was also involved in Ohio State’s second goal of the night, a header in the 44th minute following a free kick awarded to the Buckeyes from a Hayden Colson foul. Schlueter’s attempt caused her to collide with Prohaska, and the Buckeye midfielder would be substituted off and remain on the bench for the duration of the match. Her effort was still enough to extend the Buckeye lead to 2-0, where it would sit at half time.
The second half felt like 45 minutes of “almost” for Auburn, the Tigers going on run after run but seemingly unable to finish. Auburn forwards got into the Buckeye box with relative frequency, but the Ohio State defenders would always buckle down enough to force a goal kick or a clear.
Senior Anna Haddock was particularly tenacious for the Tigers. In her last game, Auburn’s leader and heartbeat facilitated run after run and chance after chance, working at her best in a 3-shot 83-minute performance.
Finally, in the 85th minute, one of the Auburn runs broke through. Sophomore forward Olivia Woodson controlled a beautiful pass from graduate forward Becky Contreras and slid a shot to the far post, right by the outstretched arms of Ohio State keeper Molly Pritchard. The goal drew Auburn within one goal, and the ferocity of the second-half Tiger attack had some of the Auburn faithful feeling hopeful for a miracle comeback.
However, it wasn’t to be. Ohio State controlled the ball for the majority of the final five minutes, wrapping up the 2-1 victory to move on to the Sweet Sixteen. The Tigers never gave up, though, something that stood out to Head Coach Karen Hoppa following the game.
“Always devastating when you lose and end the season, but our team fought to the very end,” coach Hoppa said. “We gave ourselves chances to even the game and just couldn’t get it done. Proud of them. They gave everything they had. It was a great season.”
It was a great season indeed. The Tigers tallied their highest win total since the historic 2016 season when they finished 17-7. Auburn’s senior class graduates with 49 wins, 71 goals scored, and 41 shutouts: all impressive marks.
The headliners of the class are midfielder Anna Haddock and goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska, both record holders on the plains. Haddock holds the all-time Auburn assists record (44) and is tied with US National Team member Alyssa Malonson for the all-time Auburn starts record (97). Prohaska leaves Auburn as its all-time leader in shutouts with 36.
