AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn soccer will kickstart the 2023 season Thursday, Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m. CT, hosting Samford at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
Tigers head coach Karen Hoppa is set to lead the program for a 25th consecutive season.
"It's really special to be kicking off year 25 at Auburn," Hoppa said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity. Auburn is the perfect place to coach, live and raise a family. None of it would be possible if it weren't for the support from our Auburn family. We're excited to show them what we've been working on in the preseason and hope they come out loud and proud to cheer on the Tigers."
Hoppa is one of 13 active DI soccer head coaches with 30+ years of head coaching experience. She is one of two who are female (Carin Gabarra – Navy), and one of two in the Southeastern Conference (G Guerrieri – Texas A&M).
This season, the Tigers return 7 of 12 goal scorers from a year ago and six players who started at least 10 matches, including veteran goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska who is knocking on the door of her 200th career save. Prohaska, Anna Haddock, Madeline Moore and Sydney Richards were all named to the 2023 SEC Soccer Preseason Watch List. Haddock, Moore, Prohaska and Maddy Bondon were also voted team captains for the season.
Auburn will look to lean on its veteran experience in order to take down a familiar foe in the Samford Bulldogs. The Tigers hold the all-time series lead at 12-3-3, but the previous five meetings have been more hotly contested as Auburn has won two, lost one and drawn two.
In the last five seasons, the Bulldogs, led by head coach Todd Yelton, have posted a 60-19-19 record, which includes three NCAA Tournament bids. Samford infamously upset the Orange & Blue, 2-0, at home in the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Last season, both squads met in Birmingham and fought to a 1-1 draw.
Eight current members of the Auburn roster have tussled with Samford on more than one occasion with five women having played them three times or more. Haddock, Richards and Maddie Simpson each have a goal on their career stat line versus the Bulldogs while Haddock, Marissa Arias and Olivia Candelino each have an assist.
In three full-time career outings in-net versus the Samford attack, starting goalkeeper Prohaska has a 1-1-1 record, making eight saves on 12 shots faced while surrendering four goals.
Following the battle with Samford, Auburn hosts another in-state foe, Troy, Sunday, Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. CT.
Thursday's match will be broadcast on SECN+ with Mac Matthews and Brit Bowen on the call. Radio coverage will be provided via WEGL 91.1.
As always, games at the Auburn Soccer Complex are free and open to the public. The first 250 fans to arrive at the season opener will receive a commemorative Coach Hoppa mini jersey.
Soccer set to open 2023 season against Samford
