AUBURN, Ala. – Ana Cate scored her first goal of the year and freshman Alexa Allen collected her third as the Auburn soccer team scored a pair of second half goals to defeat Mississippi State, 2-0, on Friday night. The win pushed Auburn’s record to 8-6-0, 4-3-0 SEC, the first time this season Auburn has been above .500 in league play.

 

“With how many different people we had in the lineup and with the different people scoring, those are the things we will draw confidence from,” Auburn Head Coach Karen Hoppa said. “We have to keep this momentum rolling.”

 

Deadlocked at 0-0 at the half after out-shooting Mississippi State (7-6-1, 0-6-1 SEC) by a 7-4 count, Auburn upped the pressure in the second, ripping off 13 shots to just four for Mississippi State. Of Auburn’s 20 shots on the night, 14 went on frame, forcing Mississippi State goalkeeper Skylar Rosson into making 12 saves.

 

Cate and Auburn were able to finally break-through in the 63^rd minute when she headed in a rebound following a Rosson save on an Ashley Kotero header. The goal was the 15^th of the senior’s career, placing her in a tie for tenth in the Auburn record books.

 

“Coming off the tough start of the SEC season that we had, to get three straight wins has been awesome for our confidence and for our momentum,” Cate said. “Losing to Mississippi State last year, we knew we couldn’t look past them and towards Tennessee.”

 

Auburn’s relentless attack needed just eight minutes to strike again. Mary Coffed played Maddie Barnes inside the six and with Barnes in close, her attempt at a shot was deflected out to Allen, who calmly slotted in the clincher.

 

“I knew I had to keep it (the shot) low because we really needed to finish this game off,” Allen said.

 

With the Auburn offense controlling possession it left little for Amy Howard but the few times she was tested, she answered the call, finishing with three saves.

 

Auburn played the match without senior defender Mary Nicholson and senior midfielder Jessica Rightmer and used freshmen Sophie Simantel and Natalie Donaldson in their place in the starting lineup.

 

Auburn remains at home for a Sunday tilt with No. 25 Tennessee. The match is set to begin at 1pm CT and will air live on CSS.

 

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