AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn soccer team suffered a hard-fought loss to No. 13 Texas A&M Sunday afternoon at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
Texas A&M scored the lone goal of the contests off a corner kick at the 70-minute mark.
"I thought our team played a great game today," head coach Karen Hoppa said. "The defense was outstanding. We really held strong, and it wasn't just our back four and our goalkeeper. Our midfield defending was very good and we were able to win a lot of balls in midfield to take some pressure off our backs against a very good (Texas) A&M team."
Seven of Texas A&M's 15 shots were on frame, but goalkeeper Kate Hart turned in four saves in the contest, while Auburn defenders also stood in goal and saved a pair of chances off headed corners.
The Tigers (6-6-2, 3-3-0 SEC) held an Aggie (10-3-2, 4-1-1 SEC) offense that ranks in the top 10 in a number of categories scoreless for the majority of the contest, but Texas A&M converted on the aforementioned corner kick with 20 minutes remaining.
Auburn's pressure escalated in the closing minutes as the team fought for the equalizer, recording three shots in the final four minutes and six of the seven shots in the match in the second half. However, the team was left looking for the game-tying goal.
Bri Folds started the flurry of late chances with a shot on frame that was saved. Brooke Berdan also checked into the game and got her head on a free kick, but the attempt sailed while. Down to its final chance, Treva Aycock fired off a chance from the top of the box but a Texas A&M defender stepped in front to block the shot.
Eighteen Tigers saw action in the contest, including three who played all 90 minutes.
Auburn continues SEC play with a trip to Gainesville to take on Florida (9-5-0, 5-1-0 SEC) Friday at 6 p.m. CT.