Auburn Soccer NCAA Tournament Update

The Tigers have moved on to their next NCAA Tournament match coming this Friday. For the second straight year, they will play in the state of Florida. For the second straight year, the Red Raiders of Texas Tech await them. The Tigers owe the Red Raiders a bit of revenge after falling in Gainesville, FL during last year's tournament. First, let's find out how the teams got here:

First Round

Auburn 1, Southeastern Louisiana 0

The Tigers had a catalog of chances at the Lion goal, but keeper Hope Sabadash notched an astounding 11 saves to keep the Tigers at bay. However, she was unable to control a saved shot from Casie Ramsier in the 41st minute, and Kristen Dodson slotted it home for the only goal Auburn would need. Auburn keeper Sarah Le Beau only needed to make one save on the evening, as Auburn's backline wouldn't let SELU get through. After peppering Sabadash with shots for the first 75 minutes, Auburn merely possessed the ball and killed the game off in the final 15 minutes.

The Tigers were also helped by a massive home crowd, some surely left over from the early kickoff of the Auburn-Georgia game. Auburn lists the attendance as 1,729, which is by far the largest home crowd of the season.

Texas Tech Preview

The Red Raiders kept their winning streak alive with a 1-0 home victory over North Texas. The Red Raiders got a 26th minute goal from Janine Beckie and held on for keeper Lauren Watson's 9 clean sheet of the season. Texas Tech has now advanced out of the first round of the NCAA Tournament in all four of their appearances.

Texas Tech may very well be one of the most in-form sides in the tournament. They won 3 games in 5 days to capture the Big 12 Tournament title. They haven't lost since a 2-1 double-overtime loss to Texas on October 16. The Red Raiders rely on a stifling defense with just 0.73 goals allowed per game and only 1 game this season with more than 2 goals allowed.

Very Specific Predictions

My record here has been terrible, but I've never been afraid of being wrong. I think this will be a very low scoring game. If there are more than 2 goals in regulation by either side, I would be very surprised. I'll say Auburn comes away with a 1-0 golden-goal victory in overtime, with Casie Ramsier supplying the game winner.

If the Tigers can pull out a victory, they'll be matched up with the winner of Florida State and South Alabama on Sunday.

War Eagle!