Nov. 6, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn soccer team earned its fourth straight and 15th overall NCAA Tournament appearance Monday afternoon and will take on Hofstra in the first round Friday. The contest between the Tigers and Pride is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
"We were thrilled to see our name up there and even more excited to see that asterisk next to our name, which means we get another home game," said head coach Karen Hoppa. "When we start this new season, the most important thing is that we're all together and focused on the goal. It's one game at a time, and we need everybody to rally together."
Auburn enters the tournament with a 7-6-5 overall record and went 4-2-4 in conference play. The Tigers are one of a record nine SEC teams to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
Auburn is 8-5 in the NCAA Tournament since 2011 and 5-2 all-time when playing at the Auburn Soccer Complex, including 3-0 in the last three tournament contests on The Plains. This postseason will mark the Tigers sixth year overall and third straight hosting a first-round match.
Auburn has achieved program firsts in each of the last two NCAA Tournaments as the team advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2015 and made its first ever Elite Eight appearance a season ago.
"There are no words to express these past four years," said senior captain Courtney Schell. "I couldn't have asked for anything different. The teammates I've had, our coaching staff, it's all been amazing. To go to the NCAA Tournament four years in a row, it's just incredible."
Hofstra is 15-3-2 overall this season and is riding a 12-match win streak. The Pride went 9-0-0 in the Colonial Athletic Association and went on to earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament by winning the conference tournament.
Friday's contest will mark the first between the Tigers and Pride.
Tickets for Friday's match at the Auburn Soccer Complex are now on sale through the Auburn Ticket Office. Fans can go online and purchase tickets at www.aubtix.com or call the main ticket office at 334-844-4040.
Prices are $8 for the general public, and $3 for seniors ages 65 and up. Children 12 and under will be allowed in for free. All Auburn students who show their Auburn Ignited card will also be given free admission. Free Chick-fil-A will be available to fans while supplies last.
Fans who have purchased tickets may pick up their order at the ticket office located at the Auburn Arena between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. All tickets purchased in advance will be moved to Will Call, which opens at the Auburn Soccer Complex one hour prior to kickoff.