AUBURN, Ala. – The BYU women’s soccer team couldn’t manage the late equalizer on the road against Auburn in BYU’s first road contest of the season, falling to the Tigers 2-1 Saturday night.

The Cougars fall to a record of 1-1, early in the 2021 season.

“Auburn came out and showed us something we haven’t seen yet this year and really took us out of what we’d like to do,” said Jennifer Rockwood, BYU head coach. “They kind of frazzled us, and we couldn’t find any rhythm. We didn’t do much in the first half and did a little more in the second, but it wasn’t enough.”

The matchup was back-and-forth early. BYU had an opportunity to score in the 13th minute as a header from Grace Johnson was saved by Auburn’s keeper. The Tigers returned with a few dangerous looks, including an attempt to score off a corner kick, but Cassidy Smith came up with the save.

In the 30th minute, Auburn had another opportunity to score off a free kick. On a high shot bending for the top left corner, Smith made another big save, keeping the score tied at zero.

The Cougars had another chance to score in the 38th minute off a free kick by Mikayla Colohan that was blocked.

The Tigers finally capitalized in the 42nd minute, off of a deflected shot in the box, to go up 1-0.

BYU quickly answered just 18 seconds later as a ball ricocheted to Abbie Kotter in the top left of the box, and she labeled a shot past the keeper on the short side to find the back of the net. Ellie Maughan was credited with an assist. It was Kotter’s first goal as a Cougar.

Going into the half, the Cougars led the Tigers in shots, 12-9, and were tied 1-1.

Auburn played a more defensive posture in the second half and snuck by BYU in the 68th minute on a rare counter opportunity to go up 2-1. Anna Haddock, who also scored Auburn’s first goal of the match, headed the ball into the goal.

Despite the Cougars outshooting the Tigers 18-15 and having the majority of possession in the game, Auburn was able to hold onto its lead, and BYU was unable to capitalize on some late opportunities.

BYU will return to South Field on Thursday, Aug. 28 to host No. 14 USC. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. MDT and will be broadcast on BYUtv with radio coverage on BYU Sports Network—BYU Radio 107.9 FM and audio play-by-play also streaming on the BYU Cougars app and at BYUCougars.com/LiveRadio.

AUBURN, Ala. – No. 15 BYU women's soccer will travel to take on Auburn on Saturday, Aug. 21.

Saturday’s matchup is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CDT. The game will be carried live on the BYU Sports Network — BYU Radio 107.9 FM/BYU Cougars App. The matchup will also be available for streaming on SEC Network+.

IN THE RANKINGS. BYU is ranked No. 15 in the preseason poll.

LAST TIME ON THE FIELD. The Cougars shout out No. 26 Ohio State 3-0 at South Field Thursday evening. Mikayla Colohan began the night as the ninth leading goal scorer in BYU women's soccer history. With two goals in a 3-0 victory over Ohio State, Colohan became BYU’s sixth all-time leading scorer. In the 81st minute, Olivia Smith played a ball into the top of the box to Ellie Maughan who buried it in the back of the net for her first goal since injuring her ankle in the exhibition game against Weber State on January 30, 2021. That goal extended the Cougars lead to three with nine minutes to go, marked Smith’s third assist of the match and sealed the victory for the Cougars.

WATCHMAN LIST. All-American Colohan and Cameron Tucker were named to the 2021 Women’s Hermann Trophy Watch List on Thursday. The Hermann Trophy, presented annually by the Missouri Athletic Club, is the nation’s highest individual honor recognizing the nation’s National Player of the Year as determined by the voting of Division I coaches who are members of United Soccer Coaches. Colohan was named a semifinalist in the 2020-21 and 2019 season.

No. 15 BYU (1-0-0, 0-0-0 WCC) vs Auburn (1-0-0, 0-0-0 SEC)

• Saturday, Aug. 21, at 6:30 p.m. CDT at Auburn Soccer Complex
• TV: SEC Network+
• Radio: BYU Sports Network/BYU Cougars App/107.9 FM
• Radio play-by-play: Greg Wrubell

THE TIGERS. Auburn is 1-0-0 after winning their season opener against Samford 2-1 on Thursday, Aug. 19. The Tigers finished the 2020-21 season on a five-game winning streak, with a 10-5-3 record, but missed being selected for the NCAA Tournament.

COUGARS VS. TIGERS. The Cougars and Tigers have met once before in 2012. BYU defeated Auburn 1-0 in the Second Round of the NCAA tournament. The Cougars scored on a penalty kick with 44 seconds left in the game to give No. 1 BYU the victory to advance to the Sweet 16.