Auburn Sports Review: January 2

Brandy Montgomery (10) in December 18th's game against Virginia Tech (Photo: Auburn Athletics/Anthony Hall)

Women’s Basketball: Auburn Women’s Basketball opened conference play on Sunday at the newly renovated O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida against the Florida Gators. By taking advantage of 26 Florida turnovers, the Tigers were able to pull away late and earn their first victory of 2017, 82-75. The Tigers were led offensively by Brandy Montgomery’s three-point game. She went 7-8 from beyond the arc en route to a team-leading 26 point performance. However, Katie Frerking had a game to remember as well. The senior entered the game needing just 10 points to eclipse the 1,000 career points mark at Auburn. She got 24. Not only did Frerking accomplish that feat, she also recorded her fifth double-double of the season after bringing in 10 rebounds. Janiah McKay also had a solid return to her hometown of Gainesville, by scoring 16. Auburn outlasted Florida by shooting 52% from three-point land, and by taking advantage of Florida turnovers. Auburn shot 11-21 three-point field goals, with Montgomery, Frerking, and McKay succeeding on all eleven. Auburn also scored with ease on offensive mistakes by the Gators. Florida turned the ball over 26 times, Auburn scored 28 points off of those turnovers, and also added 13 steals to the stat sheet. The Tigers (11-4, 1-0) return to Auburn Arena to face a tough South Carolina team on Wednesday. In their last game, the sixth-ranked Gamecocks defeated Alabama 93-45 Sunday. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 P.M. Soccer: After an amazing season that ended with the program’s first-ever trip to the NCAA Elite 8, Auburn Soccer is still being recognized. TopDrawerSoccer.com announced their top 100 of the season on Thursday, and five Tigers made the cut. Three offensive threats and two key freshmen were mentioned in the publication’s year-end field, beginning with Casie Ramsier. Ramsier was recognized as the 14th best player in the country by topdrawersoccer.com, after a season that saw her record 31 points, seven assists, and 12 goals. Casie’s sister, Brooke, also made the top-80, along with Kristen Dodson. Dodson broke the program record by notching 38 points in the 2016 season, which was good for #65 on the list, while Brooke Ramsier was ranked #78 after she finished with 12 assists, which is a tie for fifth nationally. Bri Folds and Karli Gutsche were also acknowledged by the publication, as being the two of the top-100 freshmen in the country. Gutsche’s contributions to Auburn’s defense awarded her a spot on the list at #23, while Folds’ solid year of five goals, nine assists, and 19 points earns her a #85 ranking. Softball: Two Auburn Softball Tigers are getting a head start to their season, by participating in the US Women’s National Team Selection Camp. Senior Kasey Cooper and freshman Alyssa Rivera were invited to showcase their skills in the camp that takes place in Clearwater, Florida. Cooper, who was a member of the 2016 USWNT that won the world championship, is one of 43 student-athletes across the country to receive an invite to the camp and was the first Auburn player to make the official roster. Cooper will look to earn another roster spot from now until January 5. Rivera participated in the junior Women’s National Team camp from December 31- January 1. Cooper and Rivera will be evaluated by their performance in drills and simulated games by the Women’s National Team selection committee. Auburn Softball opens their season February 9th, as they battle Oklahoma and Washington in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico as part of the Triple Crown Tournament.