June 5, 2017
THE BASICS
Name: Kristen Dodson
Position: Forward
Squad number: 35
Hometown: Aurora, Ill.
High School: Waubonsie Valley High School
Club: Sockers FC Chicago
Auburn debut: Aug. 22, 2014 at Clemson
First Auburn point: Aug. 22, 2014 at Clemson
Auburn honors: All-SEC First Team, NSCAA All-South Region, National and SEC Player of the Week, Top Drawer Team of the Week, SEC All-Freshman Team, SEC Preseason Watch List, SEC Academic Honor Roll
Auburn caps: 66 (60 starts)
Online bio: Bio
DODSON'S TOP MOMENTS SO FARShattering the Record Books
Nov. 18, 2016 vs. UConn
In the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Kristen Dodson etched her name into the Auburn record books forever.
The then-junior scored one goal and tallied two assists to not only book the Tigers a trip to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season, but also break a program record that stood for nearly 17 years.
After totaling four points on the day, Dodson set the Auburn single-season program record for points with 36. She surpassed Tammy Waine's total of 35 that was set in 2000.
"It's exciting," Dodson stated of breaking the record after the match. "I'm happy to contribute what I can and I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do and help the team produce as much we can."
Great in Gainesville
Sept. 22 & Nov. 20, 2016 at Florida
Dodson guided Auburn to something it had never done before - win at Florida. In total, the Aurora, Ill. native had six points by way of three goals between the two 90-minute fixtures in Gainesville.
Dodson stole the ball directly from the goalkeeper and scored twice in the regular season matchup; once from close range and another from over 30 yards out to seal the 3-0 victory.
"I just continued to pressure the keeper and she couldn't get the ball out of her feet fast enough," stated Dodson at the conclusion of the historical win. "I got a touch on it and was able to put it into the back of the net."
In the NCAA Sweet 16 battle, she iced the match away in the 84th minute when she picked off a pass from Florida and took on three defenders at midfield. Dodson then saw the goalkeeper was off her line and chipped it up and over the final line of defense from 35 yards away, sending Auburn to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history.
Six-Point Showcase
Sept. 25, 2016 at Georgia
Dodson scored two goals and added a pair of assists to guide Auburn to a 4-2 comeback win at Georgia midway through the SEC slate.
She became the first player to record two goals and two assists in a match since Katy Frierson did it on Oct. 5, 2008 against Mississippi State.
Dodson set up the Tigers' first and fourth goals of the afternoon from Casie Ramsier and Bri Folds before taking matters into her own hands and finiding the back of the net in the 50th and 62nd minutes. The performance highlighted Auburn's first come-from-behind win in a road SEC match since Oct. 19, 2014 at Arkansas.
"What an unbelievable day from Kristen Dodson," said head coach Karen Hoppa after the match. "Two assists and two goals in our first come-from-behind victory and coming off a two-goal performance against Florida, it was an unbelievable weekend, as good of a weekend as a forward can have."
COACH HOPPA ON DODSONOn what former player she resembles...
"When I watch Kristen, I see a lot of Kristin Stewart in her. Kristin Stewart played in the early 2000's and was extremely dynamic, quick, fast, and could score goals. She could get in behind defenses and also played on some extremely successful teams, just like Kristen Dodson."
On her as a playerÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬¦
"Kristen Dodson on the field is that player you hate to play against. Opposing defenses hate to see her coming because she works extremely hard on both sides of the ball. She's extraordinarily dynamic on the ball and is great 1v1. She can play with her back to goal and run at you with the ball. She can do all those great things offensively, but she's also just ferocious defensively. Kristen can chase you down and pressure you. She got some big goals as a reflection of that in 2016, in particular against Florida in the regular season when she stole the ball from a defender and the goalkeeper to score. Kristen works for 90 minutes and works from both sides of the ball, which is unusual for a goal-scoring forward."
On her off the fieldÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬¦
"It's funny because Kristen off the field is really completely opposite of what her persona on the field is. She's really sweet, calm and nice; just a super person. She's a little quiet and reserved, but the way she plays on the field is not quiet at all. Kristen is a great person to have on our team and to be around every day."