AUBURN, Ala. – No. 11 Auburn soccer (2-0-3) played to a third-straight draw, fighting No. 21 West Virginia (2-1-2) to a 0-0 final Thursday at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
"I thought we played miles better than we did last game," Tigers head coach Karen Hoppa said. "Our offense was clicking, and we created a ton of opportunities. Credit to West Virginia's goalkeeper, she was brilliant, robbed us of a couple. We just lacked the composure on a couple of good chances, but it's coming. The improvement is there. We just have to continue to connect and then finish on the opportunities that we do have."
The Tigers dominated the game on both ends of the ball but could not find the back of the net. Auburn's offense outshot the Mountaineers 13-4 while the Orange & Blue back line held all four of its opponent's chances off target.
Carrying the bulk of the load for the Tiger defense was Hayden Colson, M.E. Craven, Madeline Moore and Hailey Whitaker. The foursome did not allow West Virginia to get a shot off until the 27th minute.
Junior goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska picked up the clean sheet to record back-to-back shutouts for the second time in the early season. At 17 total, the West Chester, Ohio native stands fifth in program history for career shutouts.
Mountaineers keeper Kayza Massey led the West Virginia defense, stifling the Auburn chances with seven total saves.
Leading the Auburn offensive charge was junior midfielder Anna Haddock, placing four of five shots on-goal. Junior forward Maddie Simpson and sophomore midfielder Carly Thatcher also picked up a pair of chances, going 1-for-2 placing the ball on net.
In the 84th minute, the Tigers saw a late chance on a cross from senior Sydney Richards to Thatcher, but the left-footed shot sailed high over the left upper 90 to keep the stalemate intact.
Up next, Auburn will square off will Army Sunday, Sept. 4 with kickoff at the Auburn Soccer Complex slated for noon CT.
