Auburn, Ala. (EETV) – Auburn Soccer was outshot and outpaced Thursday, as the Tigers fell 1-0 to No. 24 Vanderbilt. Even with 10 shots, Auburn could not hit the back of the net as the Commodores’ Sydney Watts scored the game’s only goal.
In the first half, Auburn appeared to be the slower team compared to Vanderbilt, as the Commodores maintained heavy possession early on. Vanderbilt shot four times in the first three minutes, making it seem as if a goal would be when, rather than if.
That goal came in the 12th minute as Vanderbilt’s Olivia Stafford was making a run towards Auburn’s defensive end-line. Stafford crossed it towards the center, just hoping for a Commodore's foot, and she found the foot of Watts. Watts would lightly strike the ball towards the goal, watching the ball sneak by Auburn’s Ayana Yapo and into the net.
Vanderbilt’s offense would stay just as relentless for the rest of the half, as they put up nine total shots while maintaining consistent possession throughout.
However, Auburn tried to flip the script in the second half, attempting to pressure Vanderbilt’s strong defense into making a mistake early. The first solid opportunity for Auburn came off the foot of Grace Ivey as she forced Commodore keeper Alexa Gianoplus to make an incredible save on Vanderbilt’s right side.
“Obviously, the personnel was the same, so it was just a matter of telling them we got to compete,” Auburn head coach James Armstrong said. “And, you know, I think the formation change that we did helped with that… But they came out in the second half fighting, you know, and I don't think we did that in the first half.”
Auburn’s best opportunity came after a yellow card was given to Vanderbilt’s Hannah McLaughlin on the left side of the goal, as she was holding onto Olivia Woodson’s jersey. After the cross came in right in front of the goal, Auburn’s Clara Casajuana tried to chip it over Gianoplus, but the shot was blocked.
Auburn would get 8 of their 10 shots in the second half, as the Tigers desperately tried to equalize late. However, the Commodores' defense would fall into the “bend but don’t break” style of play late, stopping any Auburn offensive run.
Auburn will look to carry some of that second-half momentum as they have a quick turnaround before hosting No. 10 South Carolina on Sunday. That game will be at 2 p.m. CDT on WEGL 91.1 FM and SECN+.
