Auburn soccer’s 2016 home season opener vs. Clemson
AUBURN, Ala. (auburntigers.com) – The No. 12 Auburn soccer program kicks off the 2016 athletics season when it plays host to No. 14 Clemson on Friday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
The Tigers ride into the matchup after holding a successful preseason, including a 2-2 exhibition draw against Alabama and held a 2-0 lead at Mercer before the exhibition was canceled due to unplayable conditions.
After its top-15 matchup with Clemson, Auburn will head to South Alabama for a non-conference contest in Mobile, Ala. on Sunday evening at 6 p.m.
Starting XI
» No. 12/14 Auburn opens 2016 by facing No. 14/10 Clemson in Auburn, Ala. on Aug. 19. The match is the eighth between the programs all-time, with Clemson holding a 2-1-1 edge.
» The Tigers were picked to finish third by the SEC coaches in the annual preseason poll. Auburn received 141 points and trailed just Florida (165) and Texas A&M (154).
» Auburn set a program record with 16 wins a season ago and reached the Sweet 16 for the first time in its existence.
» Senior Casie Ramsier became the second player in Auburn history to be named to the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List. She scored 12 goals in 2015, the second-best season in program history.
» Seniors Kiana Clarke, Brooke Ramsier and Casie Ramsier were joined by junior Kirsten Dodson and sophomore Sarah Le Beau as honorees on the SEC Preseason Watch List.
» The Ramsier sisters combined for 37 percent of the points last season (45 of 123).
» In the net, Le Beau began 2015 by posting six straight shutouts, an Auburn record.
» Auburn is 15-5-3 all-time in season openers and has gone 18-3-2 in its first match on home turf. The Tigers have not lost a home opener since 2011 when they fell to No. 18 Wake Forest. Auburn has begun the slate by facing a ranked opponent five times and holds a 2-2-1 record against such opponents.
» The Tigers boast 18 underclassmen on their roster this season, including 13 freshmen. In contrast, Auburn touts 11 upperclassmen with six seniors leading the charge.
» Head coach Karen Hoppa has coached 14 winning seasons at Auburn with eight of them being 12-win seasons.
» Coach Hoppa is one of only three coaches in the SEC to have won 200 or more matches in their career.
