After opening the season with 8-straight victories, the Auburn soccer team finally ended a contest without taking home 3 points on Friday. While the Tigers did not lose, they weren’t able to open the SEC season with a win either, ending a 90-minute back-and-forth match with Vanderbilt in a 2-2 draw.
The No. 6 ranked Tigers conceded their first goal of the season in the 20th minute of action after Vanderbilt’s Rachel Deresky found the back of the net. The goal was not only the first Auburn had surrendered in 2024, but created the first time the Tigers were forced to play from behind as well. That did not last long however, as redshirt sophomore Dylan Driver banged home her first score of the season just 10 minutes later.
Auburn would score again before the halftime whistle thanks to a great individual effort from mid fielder Sydnie Thibodaux in the 44th minute. Thibodaux’s sparkling finish looked to be the deciding goal in the contest for much of the second half before Commodores graduate mid fielder Abi Brighton shocked the home crowd to even things up at 2. Brighton’s goal was the final of the match, as a late run by Auburn was not enough to get the Tigers back onto the scoreboard.
While Auburn’s win streak, and streak of consecutive matches without allowing a goal, came to an end, the Tigers did leave the SEC opener with a valuable point in the standings. Still unbeaten, Auburn continues to be one of the best squads in the country as they prepare to host Florida on Sunday.
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