BATON ROUGE, La. — No. 16 Auburn soccer netted four goals and collected its 11th shutout of the season to cruise past LSU in a 4-0 victory Friday night at the LSU Soccer Stadium.
It was the most goals an Auburn squad dropped on LSU since 1997, when the Tigers defeated the Bayou Bengals 7-1.
“What a great result, especially on the road,” Tigers head coach Karen Hoppa said. “I’m really proud of the team for getting two goals in both halves. We felt at halftime we were still vulnerable. We came out flying in the second half and were really able to put the game away.”
Auburn found its scores from sophomore Olivia Woodson and senior Mallory Mooney in the first half, and seniors Carly Thatcher and LJ Knox in the second half. Senior goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska made one key save in the contest to lock up the 35th shutout of her career.
Auburn’s first goal came in the 15th minute off the boot of Woodson for her second game-winner of the season. Thatcher beat LSU’s Cheesman in one-versus-one down the left side of the box and crossed the ball to sophomore Dylan Driver who flicked the ball on one-touch to an incoming Woodson who then put the ball away inside the far post.
“I’m so proud of our bounce back after taking our first loss last week,” Woodson said. “We’ve fought back hard and showed the kind of team we are. Our last few games have been really good, and we’re only going to build on that.”
For Woodson, it was her team-leading eighth goal of the season.
Less than two minutes later, Auburn found a second on a half-volley from Mooney. The senior corralled a missed clear from the LSU defense and finished it on her second touch, perfectly placing it inside the low left post.
The Tigers took the 2-0 edge into the break alongside a 11-0 advantage on shots and a 9-0 advantage on corners.
Eight minutes into the second half, Thatcher bagged Auburn’s third. Woodson found her feet making a run up the left edge of the box. Thatcher reversed to catch LSU’s Ferguson on her heels, then sent a bullet through the center back’s wickets and past the opposing goalkeeper.
In minute 56, the Orange & Blue found its fourth and final off the head of Knox for her first goal of the season. Senior Anna Haddock served Knox on a free kick to earn the 41st assist of her career.
“We’ve been emphasizing starting strong this week. We finally did that, and we kept our foot on the gas,” Knox said. “I’m proud of the backs for another shutout but also happy I could help our offense tonight as well.”
Statistically, Auburn dominated the match, outshooting its Tiger counterpart 23-4 and outmatching them on corner kicks 10-2. Auburn also placed a whopping 12 shots on frame, compared to one from LSU.
Up next, Auburn returns home to host in-state rival Alabama. Kickoff on Thursday, Oct. 10 is set for 6 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.