AUBURN, Ala. — Fresh off a thrilling victory over Kentucky, Auburn soccer returns home to host Mississippi State Sunday, Oct. 9 for this year's mental health awareness match.
Fans will be encouraged to take a mental vacation and enjoy the match as fans in attendance will be treated to a complimentary smoothie while supplies last. Additionally, a brief postgame yoga session will be offered to all. The first 100 fans to sign up for yoga will receive their own yoga mat paired with an Auburn soccer carrying case.
The game will be streamed via SECN+ with Mac Matthews and Brit Bowen on the call. First kick at the Auburn Soccer Complex is slated for 2 p.m. C.T
The Tigers (5-3-5, 1-3-1) will look to build off their first SEC victory following the defeat of Kentucky on Thursday. Netting three goals in the win, Auburn solidified its highest goal total in conference play since routing Texas A&M 3-0 on Sept. 26, 2021.
"Getting the hard-fought victory on the road at Kentucky was exactly what this group needed," Auburn head coach Karen Hoppa said. "We had been playing well but just weren't able to get the results we wanted. Finally getting that result was not only a relief, but it also gave us a huge surge of positive momentum that we're going to ride into Sunday."
The Bulldogs (9-1-3, 3-1-1) roll into town tabbed as Top Drawer Soccer's No. 14 team in the nation and currently lead the SEC West, however, the Bulldogs dropped their first conference match Thursday as they were shutout by South Carolina (1-0) at home.
Former Auburn assistant James Armstrong will lead the Bulldogs in his fourth year at the helm of the program with the 2022 season marking the first time in its history that Mississippi State soccer has garnered a national ranking.
Auburn holds the 18-5-3 advantage all-time and is undefeated versus the Bulldogs (11-0-2) when playing at home. Five Tigers have previously gotten on the scoresheet versus Mississippi State with senior forward Sydney Richards leading the charge with a goal in each of the last two meetings. Senior Hailey Whitaker boasts a pair of assists while juniors Olivia Candelino, Anna Haddock and Mallory Mooney have also registered an assist.
Tigers keeper Maddie Prohaska has spent 200 career minutes defending the net from Maroon & White attackers, surrendering just one goal. In her two previous outings, Prohaska has made 12 saves on 13 shots faced.
Currently, Prohaska and the Auburn back line have yet to allow multiple goals from an opponent in any match this season. The Tigers are the only Division I team that has played at least 13 games to uphold the feat.
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Following Sunday's matchup, Auburn will hit the road once more, making the trip to College Station, Texas on Oct. 14 for a Friday night showdown against Texas A&M.
