Tigers Set for Rematch with Gators

Bri Folds (Photo: Auburn Athletics/Dakota Sumpter)

The Auburn Tigers Soccer team moves one step closer to the ultimate goal of a National Championship, with a win over UConn, 4-1 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Gainesville, Florida. The Tigers had a stellar offensive performance, as they matched their goal total from a week ago in a win over South Alabama in round one. Four Tigers scored in the match, with Casie Ramsier leading the team with three assists. “I’m really proud of my team’s performance today. UConn is a tremendous team and had an unbelievable season.” said Coach Karen Hoppa following the second round win, “They have two of the best goalscorers in the country. I thought they gave us all we could handle.” UConn wasted little time getting on the board, as the nation’s leading scorer, Stephanie Ribeiro assisted Maddie Damm as she scored from 22 yards out just 0:55 into the match. After that, it was all Auburn. The Tigers tied the match at one just four minutes later, as Kristen Dodson scored from 16-yards out on a combined assist from Casie Ramsier and Karli Gutsche. Auburn would score two quick goals prior to halftime. Gianna Montini came off of the bench to net her first goal of the season at the 39:18 mark of the first half when she scored on a header from five yards out. Brooke Ramsier nailed a goal from 18-yards out to end the half, which put Auburn up 3-1 heading into halftime. Auburn would score once more in the game when freshman Bri Folds scored from 18-yards out following an assist from Dodson and Casie Ramsier. The win makes this the third straight season that Auburn has made it to the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Playoffs. Their next opponent? The Florida Gators. Florida, the host of this bracket, needed overtime in their second round game. The Gators defeated Wisconsin on Friday night in Gainesville, to set up a rematch scheduled for 1 P.M. The last time these two teams got together, Kristen Dodson scored two unassisted goals en route to a 3-0 Auburn win in Gainesville on September 22. The winner of this game will move on to face a Pac-12 opponent in either USC or Utah in the quarterfinal round.