AUBURN, Ala. – No. 15 Auburn (2-0-2) is set to square off with No. 6 Arkansas (5-1-0) Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT at Razorback Field.
The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
STARTING XI
Auburn enters this weekend coming off a 1-1 (2OT) draw against Kentucky and remains the last unbeaten team in the SEC.
The Wildcats scored the equalizer on an own goal with 24 seconds remaining in regulation. It was the first goal allowed by Auburn in a span of 324:14 dating back to the season opener vs. Mississippi State. It also marked the first goal the Tigers allowed in the run of play this season.
Friday's contest marks the first of four games in an 11-day span. The Tigers first four games of the season were spread out over 37 days.
The Auburn defense leads the SEC and ranks top five in the NCAA in goals against average (0.468) and save percentage (0.920) while Arkansas lead the league in goals (13), shots per game (16.33) and shots on goal per game (9.33).
Freshman goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska returns in net after sitting out the match vs. Kentucky due to receiving a red card at Georgia on Oct. 18. Prohaska leads the SEC in goals against average (0.328) and save percentage (0.933).
The Tigers appeared at No. 15 in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll, marking the second straight week Auburn has been ranked in the top 15. » Auburn is one of five SEC teams in the poll for the second straight week, joined by No. 7 Arkansas, No. 8 Texas A&M, No. 9 South Carolina and No. 14 Georgia.
Friday marks Auburn's first ranked matchup since taking on Vanderbilt (No. 21 vs. No. 10) on Oct. 18, 2018.
The Tigers are 15-10-2 all-time against Arkansas, including 13-5-1 against the Razorbacks since 2001, but haven't won in the series since 2016.
SCOUTING ARKANSAS
Defending regular season champion Arkansas is tied for the SEC lead with a 5-1-0 record and leads the SEC West with a 4-0-0 mark in the division.
Anna Podojil and Kayla McKeon are tied for the team lead with three goals apiece while five other Razorbacks have scored goals this season.
The Razorbacks have split time in net with Alexis Bach and Taylor Beitz and have allowed six goals in six contests this season.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Senior defender and team captain Sarah Houchin was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week two weeks ago and went on to give Auburn the lead against Kentucky with her first goal of the season. The goal was the fourth of Houchin's career, all coming in the last 22 contests.