#18 Anabel Orozco looks off field. Fifth-Third Stadium, August 21, 2025. Photo Credit: Tye Brown
Soccer fell 4-0 to Auburn on Thursday night at Fifth Third Stadium as the Tigers used three second-half goals to pull away from the Owls.
Auburn opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Gracie Brown found the net off an assist from Kennedy Husbands. The goal gave the Tigers a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.
KSU tried to generate offensive opportunities throughout the match, recording two shots and none on target. Auburn, meanwhile, registered 28 shots, including 13 on goal, and controlled much of the offensive pressure.
Owls goalkeeper Charlee Bernal made nine saves to keep KSU within striking distance for much of the match, compared to the Tigers’ zero saves.
Auburn extended its lead just over five minutes into the second half. Ava Caldwell scored in the 51st minute, sending a shot into the net off an assist from Dylan Driver.
KSU continued to battle defensively, but the pressure from the Tigers eventually produced two more goals in the final five minutes.
Emma Musiek scored in the 86th minute off an assist from Hannah Bell to give Auburn a 3-0 lead. Less than two minutes later, Caldwell scored her second goal of the night on a penalty kick, putting the Tigers ahead 4-0.
Auburn finished with eight corner kicks compared to the Owls’ one. The Tigers also held a significant advantage in shots in both halves, outshooting KSU 13-2 in the first half and 15-0 in the second.
The Owls were called for eight fouls and received two yellow cards. Anabel Orozco was booked in the 29th minute, while Ava Bradford received a yellow card in the 71st minute. Auburn’s Caldwell received a yellow card late in the match in the 89th minute.
The loss comes after KSU’s 5-0 victory over Alabama State on Aug. 23. The Owls had scored five goals in their previous match but were unable to find the back of the net against an Auburn defense that limited KSU to just two shots.
Auburn entered the match unbeaten and continued its strong start to the season with Thursday’s shutout victory.
KSU will look to rebound in its next match as it continues nonconference play.
Despite the loss, the Owls’ defense kept the match competitive for much of the opening 45 minutes before Auburn’s offense broke through repeatedly in the second half.
KSU will now turn its attention to Tennessee Tech, looking to get back in the win column on Sunday.
