Box Score AUBURN, Ala. – The Samford University soccer team allowed an early goal and a late score Friday in a hard-fought 2-0 road loss against the Auburn Tigers in an early-season, in-state matchup held at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
 
“I thought that our team put in a great effort tonight,” said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. “We really had our chances and if a couple of things go our way then we would have been in a position to win. We've gone on the road and played in three very tough environments this season and my perspective is that we've gotten better every time out.”
 
With the loss, Samford (0-3) completed its arduous three-match road swing against Southeastern Conference opponents with an 0-3 record. To open the season, the Bulldogs dropped a 4-0 decision at Tennessee, but then looked much better last week in a slight 2-1 loss at Alabama.
 
Auburn (3-2) snapped its two-match losing streak Friday and registered its second shutout of the young campaign. The Tigers opened their year with a 1-0 home victory against Georgia State, but then suffered back-to-back road setbacks at Pepperdine, 2-1, and UC Irvine, 1-0, a week ago.
 
Auburn struck first in Friday's in-state contest as sophomore defender Tori Ball tallied her first goal of the season on a long, drifting shot from 40 yards out. On the score, Ball lifted a high, sailing attempt that started its flight towards the right side of the goal. Once in the air, the ball kept shifting and carrying towards the left end of the goal and eventually found the back of the net.
 
“I thought that their first goal was a bit unfortunate and was a bit of bad luck,” Yelton said. “I don't think we give that goal up too many times and I think that maybe Melissa lost the ball for a bit in the lights.”
 
Ball's score came during the ninth minute of play and helped Auburn gain the early momentum of the match. Prior to the Tigers' score, Samford was outshooting Auburn in the match, 2-1, and held a significant portion of the run of play.
 
At the half, both teams entered their respective locker rooms with the score still favoring Auburn, 1-0. The Tigers rattled off six shots on goal in the opening 45 minutes of play, but Montgomery made a number of key diving saves. The Bulldogs' sophomore native of Georgetown, Texas, finished the first half with four stops in her first collegiate start.
 
“Melissa gave us a great effort tonight,” said Yelton. “The first goal was a bit unfortunate, but then she made a pair of outstanding saves there at the end of the first half. I'm sure she was a bit nervous. She was making her first ever start against Auburn and I thought that she handled it pretty well.”
 
Samford's offensive attack was paced by Brittany Hoffman, Joy Grove and Katie Danehy in the first period. Danehy came up from her defensive position to tally two shot attempts in the half, while Hoffman and Grove each registered one apiece.
 
With Auburn clinging to its 1-0 lead late in the second half of play, Samford's Amanda Abbott came just inches away from scoring the equalizing goal. Immediately following a quick counter-attack which also nearly resulted in a Bulldog score, Samford kept the Tigers backed up on their half of the field and abruptly gained possession on the left side of the field.
 
Samford's Abbott and Lindsey Hansen were both charging towards the middle of the field and Abbott received the pass in the middle of the box. She fired an initial shot which forced Auburn goalkeeper Amy Howard to the ground. Abbott's second attempt seemed destined to find the back of the net, but Howard pivoted, lunged to her left and somehow stretched her hand directly into the path of the shot to push the ball wide.
 
“I don't know how (Amy) Howard made that save there in the second half, because it was a total blinder,” said Yelton. “That save kept us off the board at a key time, but I thought that our team played much better in the second half. We are such a deep team that we can play any number of combinations on a given night. We had a great boost there in the second half and I thought Lindsey Hansen, Ariane Lukens, Kaley Blanton and Trine Taule all came on and did a really good job for us.”
 
Samford finished Friday's contest with eight shot attempts, as compared to 17 from the Tigers. The Bulldogs turned in their best offensive performance of the season and finished with Danehy, Taule and Abbott at two shot attempts each
 
Montgomery made her collegiate debut against Auburn and finished with a match-high seven saves.
 
The Samford University soccer team will next be in action Sunday at 6 p.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs play host to the UAB Blazers in a 2012 home-opening contest to be held at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium.