AUBURN, Ala. – No. 12 Auburn (6-1-0) begins Southeastern Conference play against neighboring rival Georgia (7-1-0) Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
"We've learned a lot," head coach Karen Hoppa said of non-conference play. "Our team is going to have to get better every game if we're going to be successful in SEC play, but there was no better preparation than our challenging schedule."
The game will be available for streaming on SEC Network+ and will also be broadcast on WEGL 91.1.
Admission to all Auburn soccer home contests is free.
STARTING XI
Winners of 11 straight dating back to last spring, Auburn fell at the hands of No. 1
Florida State, 2-1, last Sunday at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
The 11-game winning streak was the longest in program history and the country.
The game marked the first in a span of 15 contests the Tigers allowed more than one goal and was also the first in a span of 10 games the team didn't score multiple goals.
Despite the hard-fought loss, Auburn is still outscoring opponents 19-6 this season.
Six players have turned in multiple-goal efforts this season, including a hat trick from reigning SEC Freshman of the Week Carly Thatcher.
The six players with multiple goals in a game this season are tied for the most since 2000.
Sophomore midfielder Anna Haddock leads the team with five goals and 13 points. Her five goals through seven games are tied for the most by an Auburn player since 2003.
Auburn checked in at No. 12 in this week's coaches' poll, marking the fourth straight week the team has appeared in the top 15.
Five of Auburn's first six SEC contests and seven of 10 total conference games are against teams either ranked or receiving votes in the most recent coaches' poll.
Auburn has won five straight contests against Georgia, including three wins against the Bulldogs last fall and spring.
The team's third win against Georgia on Mar. 13 marked head coach Karen Hoppa's 250th win in her Auburn career.
PLAYER TO WATCH
After registering three points on one goal and an assist in 57 career games at Virginia Tech, graduate transfer midfielder Grace Sklopan has assisted in three of the last four games, including two straight. She is tied for the team lead with three assists this season.
SCOUTING GEORGIA
Georgia enters Friday's contest with a 7-1-0 record and has won six straight games.
The Bulldogs lead the country in points (98) while ranking second in goals (33) and fourth in assists (32).
Graduate forward Mollie Belisle leads the country with 10 goals and ranks third with 20 points. Three other Bulldogs have scored four or more goals and 14 or more points.
Senior goalkeeper Emory Wegener has allowed six goals in eight contests and turned in three shutouts this season.
PROMOTIONS
All Auburn, All Orange: T-shirt giveaway to the first 300 fans.
Ticket giveaway: two tickets to Auburn vs. Georgia State football game.
UP NEXT
The Tigers hit the road for the first time in nearly a month to take on No. 10 Tennessee (7-0-0) Thursday at 6 p.m. CT in Knoxville, Tennessee.
