AUBURN, Ala. — Fresh off its biggest victory in nearly 12 years, Auburn football looks to continue its momentum by welcoming another formidable opponent to the Auburn Football Complex on Friday. Oct. 13 at Texas A&M. Kickoff against the Aggies is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on SECN+.
“The last game was the first full game we ran for a full 90 minutes,” the Tigers head coach said. Karen Hoppa said. “We’re going to need that type of focus and commitment again because (Texas) A&M is a great team. They’re stronger than their record shows, and they’ve had some very quality performances this season. “
This past Sunday, Auburn found the breakthrough it was looking for as the Tigers beat the team at the top of this year’s league standings, No. 6 Arkansas. Senior goals Anna Haddock and junior Sydnie Thibodaux won 2-1.
With seven points on a 2-3-1 SEC record, the Tigers are tied for eighth in the conference standings with four games remaining. At the end of the regular season, the top 10 teams will earn a berth to the 2024 SEC Football Tournament in Pensacola, Florida.
Auburn trails the Aggies, 4-9, in the all-time series, but it holds a slight 3-2 advantage when it meets on the Plains. Last season, Texas A&M beat the Tigers 3-1 in College Station as the only team to score more than one goal against Auburn’s defense all year.
Led by 31stHead Coach of the Year G Guerrieri, the Aggies enter the game with a record of 3-2-1 in conference and 7-5-2 overall. Last week, they lost 6-0 at Vanderbilt but responded with a 3-1 win over No. 19 Alabama.
Offense is the name of TAMU’s game as they lead the SEC in total goals (37), assists (38) and shots made (262). Jazmine Wilkinson paces the attack with six goals while Sammy Smith and Carissa Boeckmann share the team lead with six assists.
In goal, Texas A&M uses a two-goalie system with Kenna Caldwell and Grace McClellan. Caldwell made 21 saves while allowing nine goals. McClellan allowed seven goals and saved 13 shots.
Friday will be Military Appreciation Night at the Auburn Football Complex. A seven-minute fireworks display will also follow after the play ends.
After Friday’s game, Auburn enters the home stretch of the regular season, heading to Florida for a 5 p.m. CT game on Thursday, October 19.
