AUBURN, Ala. — A go-ahead 81st-minute goal from junior Sydnie Thibodaux was not enough for Auburn soccer to down No. 15 South Carolina as the Gamecocks struck late with a pair of their own in the final six minutes to steal the 2-1 victory Friday night at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
"What a heartbreaker," Tigers head coach Karen Hoppa said. "We played great, got up on them, and just couldn't keep those two goals out of the net. I'm really proud of our group though. That's the No. 15 team in the country, deservedly so, and our team was better for a large part of the game."
Thanks to Thibodaux, Auburn became just the fifth team to find the back of the net versus South Carolina this season. Freshman Maquena O'Callaghan initiated the Tigers' scoring run by playing an over-the-top ball from midfield to senior Maddie Simpson approaching the penalty arc. Simpson won the ball from a pair of USC defenders and slotted a pass to Thibodaux who was making a run on left post. Thibodaux delivered a one-touch left-footed laser from 12 yards out that skidded across the face of the goal and buried itself just inside right post.
It was the fourth goal of Thibodaux's career and her first of the season.
Auburn held its lead for three minutes before USC tied the match at 1 in minute 84 on a goal from Reagan Schubach. Two minutes later, the Gamecocks found a devastating second blow from senior Cat Barry to take a 2-1 advantage that held up for final three minutes of the match.
Statistically, Auburn outshot South Carolina 12-8. Both programs laced five shots on-target. Senior Anna Haddock ripped off a season-high five chances for the second game in a row. Junior Carly Thatcher spearheaded the Tigers' on-goal opportunities with two on the night. Senior goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska also collected three saves.
Up next, Auburn hits the road for the Iron Bowl of Soccer. The Tigers will go toe-to-toe with No. 9 Alabama Thursday, Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. CT. The match will be broadcast on the SEC Network.