AUBURN Ala. — Fresh off an undefeated week on the road, Auburn soccer returns home to host Wake Forest for its Mental Health Awareness Match at the Auburn Soccer Complex Sunday, Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m. CT. The match is also available to stream on SECN+.
In its previous two matches, Auburn (3-0-1) topped Syracuse 2-1 and Army 3-2. At Syracuse, junior LJ Knox netted the game-winner in the 61st minute for her first career goal, and at Army, Anna Haddock broke through in minute 62 with the seventh game-winner of her career. Senior Sammie Brown also recorded the first goal of her Auburn tenure in the match.
"I don't think we were at our best last week, but being able to win when you don't have your best soccer is a testament of a great team," head coach Karen Hoppa said. "We're going to need to clean a few things up because Wake Forest was a really high-quality opponent when we played them there last year, and we're expecting them to be very similar this go-around. I can't think of a better way to spend your Thursday evening than watching a high-level SEC versus ACC matchup."
Wake Forest (3-0-1) makes its way to The Plains fresh off a 3-0 victory against Idaho State and a 2-0 win at Purdue last week. Led by 27th-year head coach Tony da Luz, the Demon Deacons have scored seven goals and recorded three shutouts this season. They are driven by Caiya Hanks and Emily Murphy who each have two goals and an assist to their credit.
Both programs met a year ago in Winston-Salem and fought to a scoreless draw. Auburn was outshot 12-6 and outmatched on corner kicks 6-3. The Tigers did have an opportunity to break the tie on a penalty kick in the 41st minute, however, it was stuffed by the opposing goalkeeper.
Auburn returns 13 players who saw time in last year's match, including seven who earned a start. Senior Maddie Prohaska went the distance in the match and made five saves to secure the clean sheet.
A win versus the Demon Deacons this week would be the program's first since 1994 and its first ever in Auburn. Wake Forest leads the all-time series 2-1-1.
Brit Bowen and Mac Matthews have the call for Thursday's game. Additional radio coverage can be found at WEGL 91.1.
Following Wake Forest, the Tigers host American University Sunday, Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. CT. The match is Youth Soccer Day, featuring a piggy bank giveaway for the first 150 children to arrive at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please ask for help. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress. By calling or texting 988, you'll connect to mental health professionals with the Lifeline network.
