Sept. 26, 2003

Box Score

AUBURN, Ala. - Jac Schwarz scored the games only goal in the 16th minute as No. 15 ranked Auburn defeated Samford 1-0 Friday night. The goal ended Samford's school record shutout streak at 564 minutes and extended the Tigers home unbeaten streak to 16 straight games.

Auburn (6-1-1) dominated the possession in the first 10 minutes of play. The Tigers had two corner kicks and three shots to start the match. However the first real scoring opportunity came on a Samford counter attack in the 13th minute. Lindsay Shanks played a ball to Marian Wagner who slipped behind the Auburn defense, but her shot was right at goalkeeper Megan Rivera who made the easy save.

Three minutes later, after a free kick Auburn sent a ball into the Samford penalty area, the Bulldogs failed to clear the ball an finally Chrissy Culver found Schwarz near the six-yard box and she beat Crystal Royall for the match's only goal. It was the first goal scored against Samford since Sept. 5.

Samford (4-2-3) had another solid scoring chance in the first half when Hayley Kolb found Allison Provine at the edge of the 18-yard box in the 27th minute. Provine's shot was saved by Rivera who made three saves on the night. Royall was forced to make four saves for the Bulldogs.

Auburn out-shot Samford 12-4 in the match and had all nine of the corner kicks in the match. The Tigers had a golden chance to add a goal at the end of the first half. Jessie Allan was left all alone at the top of the six-yard box but she fanned trying to one-time the cross to her.

The play evened out in the second half. Again, Auburn took more shots and held most of the possession but Samford had two quality chances down the stretch. Sara Geiger's shot in the 73rd minute was wide of goal after a strong Bulldog build-up. In the 81st minute Shanks received the ball inside the box, but Rivera made the save.

"I thought our kids showed a lot of character tonight," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "I am disappointed with the loss but we played a great Auburn team that is ranked 15th in the nation. We will take the positives from this game and build on them for next Friday when we begin conference play."

The Bulldogs will play their first ever Ohio Valley Conference match on Friday, Oct. 3, when Samford hosts Murray State in a 7 p.m. start.