FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Falling at the hands of No. 20 Arkansas (6-2-1, 1-1), Auburn soccer (4-2-4, 0-2) dropped a 1-0 decision to the reigning Southeastern Conference Champions Thursday at Razorback Stadium.
"We battled hard tonight against a very tough team," Tigers head coach Karen Hoppa said. "I thought we were better than last week, so we will look to build on tonight for Sunday."
Arkansas found the eventual game-winner in the 55th minute on a pass from Anna Podojil to Jessica De Filippo for a shot that tucked itself inside the low left corner of the Tigers' net.
The Auburn back line continued to impress, conceding the lone goal to the historically potent Arkansas attack. The 1-0 victory was just the second for the Razorbacks of the team's last 15 wins.
It was the usual Tiger suspects that held down the fort, with M.E. Craven, Madeline Moore, Hannah Waesch and Hailey Whitaker going the full 90. Freshman Hayden Colson also saw 77 minutes at right back.
Junior goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska went the distance, making five stops on six shots faced to jump Karina Micomonaco for the sixth-best total in program history with 164 career saves. Additionally, Prohaska stands second in the Auburn record books with a 0.91 career goals against average.
On the offensive end of the ball, the Tigers opted into a 4-3-3 formation for the first time all season with sophomore Sydnie Thibodaux earning the first start of her collegiate career at attacking mid.
Thibodaux ripped off the Tigers' first of six total shots on the evening in the 10th minute after being served up by Waesch, finding space from distance off the right foot, however, the Arkansas keeper was able to make the stop.
Auburn also saw a cluster of shots from junior Anna Haddock, redshirt-junior Marissa Arias and Colson, but could not find the seam it needed to catch the back of the net.
Up next, the Tigers return home to host No. 13 Ole Miss Sunday, Sept. 25 at 3 p.m. CT. Fans are encouraged to bring their four-legged friends for Pups at the Pitch.
