Cougars fall short 2-1 at Auburn

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.