AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn soccer team (11-4-1, 3-4-1 SEC) suffered a 3-0 loss to No. 12 Vanderbilt (14-1-1, 7-0-1 SEC) Thursday night at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
The Tigers loss was just the team's second at home this season.
Auburn battled Vanderbilt to a scoreless tie into halftime and allowed just three shots in the opening 45 minutes. However, the Commodores came out in the second half and scored three goals while firing off 13 shots, including six on goal.
"We just weren't good enough in the second half," head coach Karen Hoppa said. " We got a bit unlucky and gave up the PK, but we didn't respond to that. We just need to be better. We need to stick to the game plan better and execute."
Vanderbilt got on the scoreboard with a penalty kick in the 52nd minute after a foul was called on a bang-bang play inside the box. The goal allowed by the Tigers was the team's first in 252 minutes of action dating back to its contest at Texas A&M.
From there, Vanderbilt doubled its lead in the 64th minute and added its final goal in the 73rd minute. Auburn blocked back-to-back shots, but the third and final attempted found the back of the net.
"We need to be better in possession, make better decision on the ball and execute in the final third," Hoppa added.
Sixteen Tigers saw action in the match, including four who played all 90 minutes.
The Tigers face a quick turnaround before heading to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas (10-3-2, 5-2-0 SEC) Sunday at 1 p.m. on SEC Network+.
Auburn Falls to No. 12 Vanderbilt
