AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn soccer concludes its four-match homestand welcoming Southern Miss and Kennesaw State to the Auburn Soccer Complex for a pair of non-conference tests on Thursday, Aug. 21 and Sunday, Aug. 24, respectively.
Kickoff versus the Golden Eagles is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on SECN+. JJ Jackson and Nick Flohre have the call. Also on SECN+, Sunday’s contest against the Owls is set to commence at 2 p.m. CT. Flohre returns to call Sunday’s face-off with Brit Bowen. Radio coverage of both matches may be found at WEGL 91.1.
“We’re really working on being sharper, more ruthless, and having a bit more of a swagger about us,” Tigers head coach James Armstrong said. “We’ve had some great player-led conversations, and we feel that we’re in a good spot, mentally and physically, heading into this week.”
AUBURN NOTABLES
Through two matches of the Armstrong Era, the Tigers have already seen 14 different players make their Auburn debuts. Goalkeeper Ayana Yapo, defenders Taylor Chism, Lily Devereaux and Asha Means and midfielders Clara Casajuana, Erin Flurey, Grace Ivey and Layla Sirdah have already earned at least one start in their first season donning the Orange & Blue.
Auburn’s backline has held its opposition to one goal and just six shots on goal. Yapo has made five saves and used big minutes from Chism, Devereaux and defensive midfielder Hayden Colson to restrict opposing attackers to limited chances. The squad picked up its first clean sheet of the season last time out against Samford.
SCOUTING SOUTHERN MISS
Led by 13th-year head coach Mohammed El-Zare, the Golden Eagles roll into town looking for a breakthrough after starting the season 0-2-0 with losses at Memphis (6-0) and at Southern (1-0).
El-Zare returns 15 players from his 3-7-5 team last season, including goal-scoring threat Raquelle Mitchell and goalkeeper Grace O’Shaughnessy.
Auburn holds a 3-1-0 advantage against USM all-time and has emerged victorious in the previous two meetings, including a 6-0 victory on The Plains last season. Southern Miss did best the Tigers in Auburn in 2019, winning 2-0.
Auburn returns eight players who saw time in last year’s duel with the Golden Eagles, five of whom started the match. Both Shelby Sallee and Jordyn Crosby scored their first goals of the season in the contest. Sallee, Dylan Driver and Jessica Osborne also earned assists last year.
SCOUTING KENNESAW STATE
Former Auburn soccer graduate assistant and volunteer assistant coach Chris Cahill leads the Owls in his second season as head coach. Last season, Cahill’s squad went 3-10-4 with wins over Jackson State (1-0), Sam Houston (2-1) and FIU (3-0).
Due to weather conditions, Kennesaw State has yet to play an official match this year but is set to open its season against No. 24 Memphis this Thursday.
Kennesaw State returns six starters from its 2024 lineup, including goalkeeper Charlee Bernal, who became the program’s first C-USA Goalkeeper of the Week after shutting out eventual C-USA champion FIU.
This week marks Auburn’s first meeting with KSU since 2021, when the Tigers earned a 5-0 win. Auburn is 5-0-0 versus the Owls all-time, but has allowed four goals in the series.
PROMOTIONS
Thursday marks International Student Night at the Auburn Soccer Complex. The first 300 fans in attendance will receive an Auburn soccer mini flag. Another pair of custom Nike Air Force 1s will also be raffled off to one lucky fan. Members of the Upper 90 Club receive two raffle entries.
On Sunday, the Tigers celebrate the nine members of their senior class with a pregame senior ceremony. Autographs and photos with the team will be available for 10 minutes following the final whistle.
As always, matches at the Auburn Soccer Complex are free and open to the public. All spectators are permitted to enter the stadium with one clear, sealed water bottle.