BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Auburn battled Samford to a hard-fought draw in its final non-conference match of the season Sunday night at Shauna Yelton Field.
The result marked Auburn’s sixth shutout in seven contests this season, matching last year’s shutout total. The team also became just the fourth in program history to remain unbeaten through seven games.
“The girls gave great effort tonight versus a very good opponent away from home,” head coach James Armstrong said. “I’m still not sure how one of those chances didn’t go into the back of the net. We have to continue to work on capitalizing on the chances we are creating. This is a group that we are excited to go into conference play with.”
Auburn created plenty of chances throughout, outshooting Samford 22-10 and taking nine corners to the Bulldogs’ four, but the Tigers offensive attack came up empty for the first time since opening night vs. Clemson.
Auburn (4-0-3) came out and threatened early with three chances in the first 10 minutes. Holly Engelking had the game’s first chance with a header that sailed just wide of the upper 90 in the third minute, and Dylan Driver made a cross just out of reach of a streaking teammate far post in the sixth minute. Jordyn Crosby then headed a corner from Kennedy Husbands in the 10th minute.
Samford’s first chance came 20 minutes into the contest with a one-on-one opportunity with Ayana Yapo in goal, but the keeper affected the shot that sailed high and wide of frame.
Driver put the games first shot on frame in the 25th minute, but Samford goalkeeper Peyton Hull gloved it to keep the match scoreless. The Tigers threatened again in the 34th minute as Layla Sirdah, who just checked into the game, struck a free kick from just outside the 18, but again Hull made the save.
After outshooting Samford 9-5 in the first half, the Tigers came out and picked up where they left off with three early shots in the second half, including one on goal of a nice service into the box from a free kick near midfield.
Samford (3-1-3) threatened with 23 minutes remaining in the contest as a ball was possessed and passed around inside the box, but ultimately went for naught. The Bulldogs later earned a free kick from 25 yards out with 10 minutes remaining, but a skipping shot was corralled by Yapo for her season-high fifth save of the match to keep it 0-0.
Auburn’s best chance of the contest came in the 81st minute as a pair of shots were taken off a service from a short corner, but one was saved and the other was blocked by a nearby defender to thwart the attack. A similar chance off a free kick occurred inside the box a little more than five minutes later, but it was ultimately cleared by the defense.
The Tigers last corner of the game came with two minutes remaining, sailed over the mitt of the goalkeeper to a one-timer from Engelking that sailed over the crossbar.
Auburn returns home to host No. 6 Alabama (7-1-0) in the SEC opener Friday, Sept. 11. Kickoff at the Auburn Soccer Complex against the Crimson Tide is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT. Fans are encouraged to come help the Tigers set the Auburn Soccer Complex attendance record against their rival.
For more information on the Auburn Soccer team, be sure to visit @auburnsoccer on X, Instagram and Facebook.