Sept. 29, 2017
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STARKVILLE, Miss. - The Auburn soccer team battled to a scoreless draw in a tough road contest against Mississippi State (7-1-3, 1-1-2 SEC) Friday night at the MSU Soccer Field.
The result was Auburn's (5-3-3, 2-0-2 SEC) fourth straight to start SEC play and fifth straight overall dating back to Sept. 8. Additionally, it was the team's fifth straight shutout and result against Mississippi State.
"We're a bit frustrated because we didn't think we played our best," head coach Karen Hoppa said. "A lot of that is credit to Mississippi State and how direct they played. I was pleased overall with our effort but thought our quality of play could've been a little better. We felt like we left something on the table tonight."
Four of the Tigers' 14 shots in the match were on frame. Bri Folds led the way with five shots, while Courtney Schell accounted for three more and each registered a shot on goal. Taylor Troutman and Alyssa Malonson put one shot apiece on frame, and Kristen Dodson was right behind Folds with four shots in the match.
The Auburn defense continued to be the story as the unit turned in its fifth shutout of the season and third in SEC play, including second straight. The Tigers haven't allowed a goal in approximately 280 minutes dating back to the team's 1-1 draw at Tennessee last Thursday and have stayed on pace with the 2004 team that allowed just one goal in its first five conference matches.
"The back four and Sarah Le Beau are special. There's no doubt about it," Hoppa said. "It's a really high-quality group, and all five of them are playing exceptionally well. We're really happy with that side of the ball."
The Tigers' biggest chance to break a scoreless tie came in the 75th minute when Dodson hit a right-footed strike from 30 yards out that hit off the crossbar and was cleared by the Bulldogs' defense.
Seven of the Tigers' 11 starters, including three of their back four and Le Beau, went the distance in the match as Auburn played in its fourth overtime contest of the season.
Auburn enters the middle portion of its SEC schedule with a home match against Arkansas Thursday, Oct. 5 before hitting the road for a matchup against Alabama Sunday, Oct. 8.